The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue vide Notification No. 131/2025 dated August 12, 2025 has granted tax exemption under clause (46) of Section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, to the Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation (PAN: AADTP9665M), a trust established by the Government of Kerala.
According to the Notification, the exemption applies to specified income sources of the foundation, including:
- Fees from check post entry, visitor accommodation, inspection bungalows, eco-tourism packages, and canteen rent.
- License fees from the Tamil Nadu Government for forest land leased under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project.
- Sale proceeds from forest produce through ECO shops or its website.
- Grants from government departments and NGOs.
- Prize money from awards.
- Interest on bank deposits.
The exemption is subject to conditions that the foundation shall not engage in commercial activity, maintain the nature of its specified income, and file returns as per Section 139(4C)(g) of the Act.
This notification applies retrospectively for Assessment Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 (Financial Years 2021-22 to 2024-25) and will also cover AY 2026-27 (FY 2025-26).
The government clarified that no person is adversely affected by this retrospective application.
The Notification can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CBDT-NN-Parambikulam-Tiger-Conservation-Foundation.pdf
