This branch in Karnataka was initiated in 1993 on account of the Central Government's initiative to replicate WWF's experiment in that district. The immediate necessity was a provocation around that area where large-scale oppression was inflicted on girl children, by dedicating them to a female deity to become 'Devadasis'. This has later led to child and adult prostitution. WWF's efforts focused on training and gainful employment options, rehabilitating and giving the women of Bellary a new lease of life. Today WWF has 9509 members in 134 villages.