“The committee for the selection of this award has decided to give the award to MMES for their outstanding and unique work,” it was mentioned in an official communication from Dr MK Ranjitsinh of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), said Abhijit Rabha, Field Director, Manas.

The MMES, it may be mentioned, has been working in parts of the Manas National Park and has been able to reduce poaching and illegal felling of trees inside the park. Acting as volunteers, its members patrol the park and also play host to tourists at a venue they have developed.