Nyishi tribals among wildlife awardees

The Asian Age , Friday, December 05, 2014
Correspondent :
Sanctuary Asia, supported by DSP Blackrock and Deutsche Bank, presented the Sanctuary Wildlife Awards to five dedicated environmentalists at the National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai on Thursday. The awards were instituted to recognise the best in the field of wildlife conservation in India

The awardees included the Hornbill Nest Protectors team of 12 Nyishi tribals from forests near Arunachal Pradesh’s fecund Pakke Tiger Reserve who are an exemplary model of community conservation. In the last two years, 90 per cent of these nests successfully fledged chicks. The success of this project has been supplemented by a pre-existing community ban on the hunting of hornbills.

Binod ‘Dulu’ Bora from Assam, who is not only an expert wildlife rescuer, but also a communicator, was also felicitated. His work includes rescue of all kinds of wildlife from elephant calves to leopard cubs and king cobras.

Among those awarded was also a doctor. Dr Pramod Patil has been dedicated in his study to find a cure for the destruction of India’s grasslands and the impending extinction of the Great Indian Bustard. To this end he has tackled policy and management issues, led awareness programmes for both public and forest staff, and worked toward grassland restoration.

Chewang Motup Goba, an intrepid explorer and founder of Rimo Expeditions, was awarded for his commitment to promoting sustainability amongst Himalayan communities and adventure tourists.

Rajesh Sanap and Zeeshan Mirza, research associates with the National Centre for Biological Sciences, who together are responsible for the discovery of 23 species of lizards, scorpions and spiders new to science, were awarded for their contribution to the environment.

The awardees are nominated by Sanctuary Asia readers and supporters from across the country.

Bittu Sahgal, founder and editor, Sanctuary Asia, said, “With every passing day the role of the earth heroes who are protecting wild India is becoming more critical to national development. These biodiversity defenders are vital to any chance India has of dealing with the worst impacts of climate change because forests, wetlands and other such natural ecosystems not only moderate climate, but also sequester and store carbon.”

 
SOURCE : http://www.asianage.com/mumbai/nyishi-tribals-among-wildlife-awardees-072
 


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