The League of Earth Heroes

NATURENOMICSTM 7.0

The League of Earth Heroes Presenting Balipara Foundation Social Recognition Award Winners 2013 – 2018

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A Salute …

To the Biodiverse depths of the Eastern Himalayas To the Culturally Diverse Local Communities To the Crusaders of the Eastern Himalayas Leaders across Eastern Himalayas who are making measurable contributions to sustainability Pristine Rivers & Water Bodies for Inspiration

The Power to make a difference lies within us all. Nothing could demonstrate this fact more clearly than recipients of Balipara Foundation Awards - ordinary men and women with extraordinary achievements

ˮ - Ranjit Barthakur, Founder, Balipara Foundation

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Contents Balipara Foundation Social Impact Recognition Awards

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The Journey Since 2013

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Balipara Foundation Social Impact Recognition Award Winners 2018

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The Annual Balipara Foundation NaturenomicsTM Green Journalist Eastern Himalayan Conservation Habitat Conservation Food for the Future Forest Rangers & Guards Lifetime Service Award Special Award - Eastern Himalayan Global Environmental Ambassador Special Award - Cross Country Preservation of the Eastern Himalayas Special Award - Agricultural Revolution in Balipara County Special Award - Eastern Himalayan Sports Development

ECO – CHAMPIONS OF THE EASTERN HIMALAYAS : 2013 – 2017                

Recipients of Annual Balipara Foundation Social Impact Awards Recipients of NaturenomicsTM Social Impact Awards Recipients of Green Legal Social Impact Awards Recipients of Eastern Himalayan Conservation Social Impact Recipients of Green Guru Social Impact Awards Recipients of Young Naturalist Social Impact Awards Recipients of Nature Conservancy Social Impact Awards Recipient of Nature Activist Social Impact Award Recipient of Habitat Conservation Social Impact Award Recipient of Wildlife Conservation Social Impact Award Recipient of Green Journalist Social Impact Award Recipient of Ecological Restoration Social Impact Award Recipient of Mark Shand Mahout Social Impact Award Recipient of Forest Rangers & Guard Social Impact Award Recipient of Pioneers of Long Distance River Cruising in India: Special Social Impact Award Lifetime Service Social Impact Award

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Gallery of Crusaders 

Balipara Foundation Award Winners 2013-2017

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About us Balipara Foundation focuses on creating community – based conservation models in the Eastern Himalayas using a proprietary approach, NaturenomicsTM, to enhance Rural Futures and the heritage of our ecology. Our goal is to make the communities in the region the stewards of the conservation agenda by creating economic & social mobility. Our programmes are human centric & realised through iterative prototypes to adapt to rapidly evolving human needs & landscapes.

BALIPARA FOUNDATION SOCIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

Balipara Foundation Social Recognition Awards since 2013 stands as a platform in highlighting and rewarding the efforts of societal entrepreneurs who are working tirelessly to create social, economic and environmental impact in protecting the essential natural resources and restoring the beauty of the Eastern Himalayas.

Through Balipara Foundation Social Recognition Awards, our vision is to conserve the Natural assets of the Eastern Himalayan. We understand that the real heroes who preserve these assets are the grassroots community leaders, who have dedicated themselves to preserving the rich Bio - Cultural Heritage and are the environmental crusaders of the Eastern Himalayas.

We believe that recognition is a form of accountability – and that individuals and organizations have a unique opportunity to drive environmental progress.

Balipara Foundation Social Recognition Awards recognises the best – in – the – field of community conservation and to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who are defending the environment and thus the Rural Futures in the Eastern Himalayas.

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THE JOURNEY SINCE 2013

84 Balipara Foundation Social Recognition Award Winners

Earth Heroes from 12 States in the Eastern Himalayan Region

INR 4.6 million invested in conservation projects initiated by the Earth Heroes

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BALIPARA FOUNDATION SOCIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS 2018

12 Categories

16 Winners

Award

Acknowledge

Applaud 6

Md. Maksudur Rahman The Annual Balipara Foundation

2018, Bangladesh

Presented to a government or nongovernment organization, whose contribution to the protection of wild nature has gone beyond the call of duty and which has displayed demonstrable success in the arena of nature conservation Md. Rahman is an environmental leader in Bangladesh; who has more than 18 years working experience on environmental protection, wildlife conservation through education, advocacy, and awareness campaign and livelihood improvement of the forest dwellers through sustainable use of natural resources, Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) with the coastal communities since 2000. He is the founder of Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) in 2010 (www.bedsbd.org) for maintaining the ecological balance and create harmony between human and nature Social Impact : Brought changes to the lives of a lot of people through his integrated initiatives such as non-electrified coastal communities have gotten electricity facilities by the solar energy, poor students are reading at night, Multimedia class has been introduced in rural remote coastal areas; etc.

Economic Impact: With his direction 50 fishermen families are conducting crab fattening, hanging gardening, eco fishing and earning more

Environmental Impact: Approximately 100,000 mangroves have been planted in the Sundarbans coastal region and more than 100,000 social trees have been planted in the school campus and road side

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Narmohan Das

NaturenomicsTM

2018, Assam Presented to a green entrepreneur whose financial and ecological success has proven to be sustainable in wealth formation through the securitization of natural assets such as food, water, energy and environment

Narmohan Das is an Internationally renowned Silk product innovator. He is a pioneer in Eri, who creates stylish contemporary designs using hand-spun and hand-woven Eri silk.

He is also known for his pioneering textile designs with the unique silk Social Impact : Brought changes to the lives of a lot of people through his integrated initiatives such as non-electrified coastal communities have gotten electricity facilities by the solar energy, poor students are reading at night, Multimedia class has been introduced in rural remote coastal areas; etc.

Economic Impact: With his direction 50 fishermen families are conducting crab fattening, hanging gardening, eco fishing and earning more

Environmental Impact: Approximately 100,000 mangroves have been planted in the Sundarbans coastal region and more than 100,000 social trees have been planted in the school campus and road side

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Uttam Saikia Green Journalist

2018, Assam

Presented to a green journalist for their outstanding coverage of community conservation in and around ecologically fragile wilderness

Honorary wildlife Warden of Kaziranga, Wildlife Conservationist and Journalist, Uttam Saikia is the President of an NGO ‗BHUMI‘, along with local youth. Uttam‘s greatest strength is his humility and his skills to work with people from all fields-forest officials and staff, different NGOS, communities, youth, politicians, bureaucrats, media toward wildlife conservation. He works in various capacities towards wildlife conservation—as a journalist who writes in various local newspapers, magazines, and online as well. Some examples being NorthEast Now a news portal and Asom bani

Social Impact: Engages with communities for awareness campaigns in school and fringe villages, and alternate employment to decrease pressures on the park

Economic Impact: He has taken initiative to introduce eco-tourism and alternative livelihood program in Dobaati village and Bhakte chapori. He helped in initiating an ecotourism programme in Dobaati village, which engages with the local youth and is working now Environmental Impact: In 2010, he initiated the ‗Rhino Jagoron Manch in Bonkowal area for the protection of the rhinos that stray out of Kaziranga—and hence are more vulnerable to both poaching and conflict issues

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Tambor Lyngdoh Eastern Himalayan Conservation

2018, Meghalaya

Presented to an individual, community or organization that has significantly and successfully worked to protect the wildlife or wildernesses of the Eastern Himalaya upon which millions of people depend for their sustenance

An energetic, enthusiastic and hardworking community leader of Hima Mawphalang, Meghalaya, Tambor Lyngdoh has made Mawphlang known to the world map through his continuous contribution to the society. Tambor is humble and lives a simple life, through his simplicity. In the year 2011, he with the help of Community Forestry International, USA developed a REDD+ project through which he is protecting and re – generating about 27000 ha of degraded forest in Umium watershed

Social Impact: With his leadership skills, Mr. Lyngdoh organised several trainings and workshops on afforestation & community forest management

Economic Impact: He has made a commendable contribution towards livelihood enhancement and forest conservation in Mawphlang and Lairkroh Community Development Blocks of Meghalaya

Environmental Impact: He successfully implemented a biodiversity conservation project granted to the Hima by the MoEF & CC

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Tenzing Bodosa Habitat Conservation

2018, Assam

Presented to an individual or organization that has spearheaded efforts to conserve critical ecosystems

An energetic, enthusiastic and hardworking community leader of Hima Mawphalang, Meghalaya, Tambor Lyngdoh has made Mawphlang known to the world map through his continuous contribution to the society. Tambor is humble and lives a simple life, through his simplicity. In the year 2011, he with the help of Community Forestry International, USA developed a REDD+ project through which he is protecting and re – generating about 27000 ha of degraded forest in Umium watershed

Social Impact: With his leadership skills, Mr. Lyngdoh organised several trainings and workshops on afforestation & community forest management

Economic Impact: He has made a commendable contribution towards livelihood enhancement and forest conservation in Mawphlang and Lairkroh Community Development Blocks of Meghalaya

Environmental Impact: He successfully implemented a biodiversity conservation project granted to the Hima by the MoEF & CC

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Dimbeswar Rabha

Food for the Future

2018, Assam

Presented to a visionary individual, who might be a scientist, NGO, villager or entrepreneur who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of organic food, or has demonstrated alternative farming methods that increase yields using ecological principles that have brought about replicable change A Project on ―Small Farm Integrated for Sustainable Agriculture and Improved Access to the Market‖ facilitated Mr. Rabha to start a role as an entrepreneurship on Rapid Multiplication Block on Black Paper at his homestay which accordingly took it up in a proactive manner in 2015. He promoted the Black Paper as an alternative crop in sand mining areas of Chhaygaon which made agriculture more remunerative.

Social Impact: Knowledge Management on multiple cropping and demonstration of farming model in a business mode has been able to generate interest in the society

Economic Impact: His initiatives has resulted in generation of at least 8 lakhs Black pepper sapling in the area since 2015

Environmental Impact: Promotion of Arecanut , black pepper and turmeric multiple cropping models have been able to restore the faith of people in farming in a belt where illegal sand mining in Kulshi river and wood trading is rampant

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Alemba Yimchunger Forest Rangers Guards

2018, Nagaland

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Alemba Yimchunger is a camp guide of Kiphire Wildlife Division, Department of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Nagaland. He has been involved in the census activity of Blyth‘s Tragopan species. Blyth‘s Tragopan is the State Bird of Nagaland is a key species of the sanctuary . He has been invaluable in studying animal movements in the sanctuary and has helped in camera trap studies – especially for the strategic placement of cameras in the area.

Presented to forest staff of Forest Departments for their exemplary service towards the protection of Fauna and Flora in National parks and reserve forest of the Eastern Himalayas

Dorji Wangchuk 2018, Bhutan Dorji Wangchuk was initially focal Officer for WWF support project in RMNP. He has been involved in TraMCA project from very beginning in 2010. He had coordinated and organized many field level meetings with counterparts and it has progressed and now it has been recognized at departmental and governmental level. He now heads the Community, Recreation and Development Section and field Coordinator for IUCN Project in Bhutan

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Usha Lachungpa Lifetime Service

2018, Sikkim

Presented to an individual whose life has been devoted to the ecological welfare of the people of the Eastern Himalayas and whose philosophy and purpose have been guided by the need to protect, restore and care of nature.

We are in search of a true hero; an Indian woman or man who is an inspiration to all

Usha Lachungpa worked as Principal Research Officer (WL) with Sikkim State Forest Department, Govt. of Sikkim for last 20 years. Her special interest is in high altitude wetlands and wildlife conservation in Sikkim.

She also holds accolades for being the first Indian lady to do a Wildlife and Research Management course from Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, securing one gold and two silvers for her research during her post graduate diploma.

She continues to be members of the Specialist Group of IUCN, Life member of the Zoo Outreach organization, founder member of the NGOs such as Green Circle, Sikkim and Sikkim Ornithological Society.

Social Impact: She has been presenting her work in India and abroad to highlight the major concerns of biodiversity and wildlife conservation in the Himalayas Usha's extensive research has led to the enabling of other researchers and organizations from India and other countries to concentrate on various facets of biodiversity Environmental Impact: She has worked extensively in the field of wildlife, which developed as an interest during her childhood. Usha Lachungpa has extensive experience as she has worked with the Bombay Natural History Society as a field biologist on a Hydrobiology project in Keoladeo National Park and the Endangered Species project looking for critically threatened Lesser and Bengal Floricans in 15 Indian states

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Anshu Jamsenpa Special Award Eastern Himalayan Global Environment al Ambassador

2018, Arunachal Pradesh

Anshu Jamsenpa is an Indian mountaineer and the second woman in the world to scale the summit of Mount Everest twice in a season (and the first to do so within 5 days).It is also the fastest double ascents of the tallest crest by a woman. She is a woman of substance and an inspiration beyond admiration.

An adventure enthusiast, Anshu Jamsenpa has also been training mountaineers and has trained over 3,000 aspirants at her own capacity.

2018, Bhutan

Special Award - Cross Country Preservation of the Eastern Himalayas

Royal Manas National Park is Bhutan‘s oldest protected areas with its evolutionary history dating back to as early as 1960s. The name of the park is derived from River Manas formed by two major tributaries Drangmachhu and Mangdechhu River. Manas camp, the heart of the park was strategically isolated from nearby settlements by this gigantic river Manas. The only way to reach camp across river was by a manually operated wooden boatThey are Bhutan‘s first river guides and they made river journey safe and viable transport system. These are real heroes serving humanity and wildlife for generations facing life threatening challenge from harsh climatic conditions and danger of insurgents.

They carry memory of how Manas River has changed in last two to four decades

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Mehdi Arif Hussain Special Award Agricultural Revolution in Balipara County

2018, Assam

As the ADO of Balipara, Mehdi Arif Hussain has shown keen interest in providing help and reaching out to 1209 households of these villages. He wishes to extend his departments expertise in the field of integrated farming models, combining different types of agricultural activities such as fishery to generate livelihoods of the people. He has envisioned Balipara to be ‗High Tech‘ with the availability of technologies and services in the form of Farm Machinery Bank or Green House for farmers.

Special Award Eastern Himalayan Sports Development

High Altitude Training Centre 2018, Mizoram

Tata Education and Development Trusts have associated themselves in view of the Sports Development of the state of Mizoram. The Siphir Village Council has been generous enough to provide the project with 10.753 acres of land to provide the grassroot youth with vigorous badminton training in a High-Altitude Training Centre.

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ECO – CHAMPIONS OF THE EASTERN HIMALAYAS 2013 - 2017

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Recipients of Annual Balipara Foundation Social Impact Awards 2013 - 2017 William R. Oliver 2013, Assam

William Oliver was one of the world‘s most profound Wild Pig Conservationists. His contribution towards the recovery of the critically endangered Pygmy Hogs in the wild is notable. He is also responsible for the reclassification of pygmy hogs from the genus ‗Sus’ to a separate new genus ‗Porcula’. Oliver undertook the Pygmy Hog field survey in Assam in 1977, and from then onwards became sensitized and passionate towards the conservation of Wild Pigs and other lesser fauna from India, Philippines and other parts of the globe.

Environmental Impact His biggest contribution was towards setting up of the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme. He also took efforts towards the conservation of other wild animals like the Visayan Spotted Deer, Philippine Hornbills and the Negros Bleeding-heart Pigeon in the Philippines.

Pangti Village Community & Forest Department of Nagaland 2014, Nagaland

The Pangti Village Community and Forest Department of Nagaland plays a major role in the conservation of the Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) after the bird had come in news due to rampant and excessive poaching and hunting in Nagaland, during its migratory passing from the North-eastern state of India.

Social Impact : Seminars and outreach programs are conducted to raise awareness regarding the conservation of wildlife, especially to save the Amur Falcons

Economic Impact : Their efforts and initiatives involved the locals in conservation work in the field of nature tourism thereby contributing towards their livelihood

Environmental Impact : The Pangti team helped in the imposing of ban on the use of weapons, felling of falcon roosting sites, burning of forests, fishing with explosives and poison, chemical farming, etc.

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Achintya Kumar Sinha 2015,Tripura Achintya Kumar Sinha has a long list of accomplishments in the field of sustainable natural resource management where he has intensively worked with rural communities in creating livelihood opportunities Social Impact : He played a major role in the rehabilitation of around 50 shifting cultivation-based families belonging to the Raeng tribe (Tripura) in 1981

Economic Impact : He played a major role in the rehabilitation of around 50 shifting cultivation-based families belonging to the Raeng tribe (Tripura) in 1981 Environmental Impact : His biggest contribution to Tripura, its local communities and forests has been the initiation of the 1st Joint Forest Management (JFM) of Tripura

Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Committee 2016, Nagaland Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Committee have undertaken numerous steps to maintain the biodiversity and preservation of the Sendenyu forest Social Impact : All the major landscapes, rivulets, lake and ponds, flora and fauna including medicinal plants, timber of commercial value, etc, found within the land have been listed Economic Impact : Various initiatives stand for community conservation which thereby improves economic livelihood

Environmental Impact : Following enforcement of conservation in the Protected Area (PA) and other village community land, today, many animals have returned

Dr. Dhan Bahadur Gurung 2017, Bhutan Dr Gurung an environmental educator whose teachings have inspired a new generation of botanists to dedicate their lives towards socio-economic development of Communities Social Impact : He has been instrumental in building credit worthy programmes such as B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Climate Change and M.Sc. in Natural Resources Management Environnmental Impact : A species curator, he is the founding member of Bhutan Biodiversity Portal and is the first National Professor who studied and published a book on Orchids of Bhutan. free of hydropower dams

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Recipients of NaturenomicsTM Social Impact Awards 2013 - 2017 Arindam Dasgupta 2013, Assam Arindam Dasgupta is the founder of the Tambul Plates Marketing Private Limited (TPMPL), which aimed at manufacture and marketing of areca nut plates in North-east India - Guwahati, Shillong and Dimapur, and other major cities including Delhi, Patiala, Patna, Mumbai and Kolkata. The main objective of TPMPL is to support producers of areca nut plates to market their products so that they need not worry about selling them Social Impact : TPMPL has helped in the training of more than 1000 individuals in manufacturing areca nut plates

Economic Impact : TPMPL helped increase sales and selling prices of areca nut sheaths for collectors by more than 30%

Environmental Impact : Base material of Tambul Plates is made out of biodegradable arecanut extracts and it discourages the use of plastic and styrofoam dinnerware

Neihunuo Sorhie 2014, Nagaland

Neihunuo Sorhie eventually went on to set up her own enterprise where she would employ around 60 tribal weavers who would develop a range of products, ranging anything between shawls and purses made to showcase the exquisite Naga craftsmanship and culture. She is known for giving individual ‗finishing touches‘ to each of the products herself

Social Impact : Neihunuo has helped in providing livelihood opportunities to a small portion of tribal women in North-east India, and till date continues to increase the capacity of people who can work in her enterprise

Economic Impact : Neihunuo has helped to increase the reach and awareness of Naga Tribal groups and about their art and culture, with respect to textiles and other products Environmental Impact : Neihunuo, through her enterprise is in a moderate way helping tribal women deviate from extracting natural resources from the park and instead channeling them to depend on sustainable livelihood through weaving

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Richard Belho 2015, Nagaland Richard Belho, also known as the ‗Bamboo Architect‘ runs Zynorique Initiatives, an architecture firm and organization based in Kohima, Nagaland along with Kezhagwetuo Peseyei that constructs ecofriendly structures and also provides training of employable skills to the youth of Nagaland Social Impact : His organization has helped more than 600 youth from Nagaland with employment within the last decade Economic Impact : Richard has been promoting the use of Bamboo for use in construction and has also promoted its use for making bamboo-based jewellery items, prototypes for Commercial Production in Handicraft Sector among other utility items Environmental Impact : His architectural principles work towards making use of bamboo instead of modern building materials for use in making homes and other structures

The Hong Village Community 2016, Arunachal Pradesh One of the few people in the world who continue to live in harmony with nature, Hong Village Community‘s methods of sustainable farming and social forestry is without a parallel anywhere in this world Social Impact : The eco- friendly environment in the village lets everyone spend family time with each other Economic Impact : The Aptanis in the village are famous for sustainable methods that they have been following to cultivate rice Environmental Impact : No farm animals or machines are used in Hong Village Community. Using nature- friendly and sustainable techniques alone, they have successfully conserved forests around the valley

Sagir Ahmed 2017, Assam Transforming waste coconut shells into intricate art pieces of jewelry and home decor, Sagir Ahmed is a Green Entrepreneur who has used innovation & creativity to recycle and reuse a waste product Social Impact : His crafta has helped raise awareness on the valuable use of coconut shells and is a source of livelihood for women Economic Impact : These women who would earlier burn these coconut shells now collect them as raw material for his business in exchange for a steady source of income Environmental Impact : These women who would earlier burn these coconut shells now collect them as raw material for his business in exchange for a steady source of income

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Recipients of Green Legal Social Impact Awards 2013 - 2016 Gautam Uzir 2013, Assam Gautam Uzir is a practicing lawyer at the Guwahati High Court since 1984. He is also a highly regarded and eminent lawyer in Assam, well-versed in several branches of the discipline of law Social Impact : Gautam Uzir helped set up and bring order to the education system for the blind in Assam Economic Impact : He was involved in the revival of public sector undertakings in Assam Environmental Impact : He played a role in checking on encroachment in forest areas of Assam. He secured directions from Guwahati High Court against the Ledo Margherita open cast mining & set up an affluent treatment plant at Digboi

Ritwick Dutta 2015, Assam Founder and managing trustee of the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) in 2005, Ritwick Dutta is an Environmental Lawyer who has raised his voice for many environmental issues in India Social Impact : Ritwick Dutta has published quite a few environmental lawbased literature and case studies based on Indian judiciary Economic Impact : He has helped in the restoration of multiple natural habitats that have supported the local and indigenous communities to sustain Environmental Impact : He has fought multiple environmental hazardous projects that were planned in Protected Areas and which made use of falsified Environmental Impact Assessment Reports

Rohit Choudhury 2016, Assam Using a combination of Right to Information Act and litigation before the National Green Tribunal , Rohit Choudhury has highlighted several violations of law with respect to environmental issues in Assam before the courts over the past decade Social Impact : He assisted communities across the country in filing RTI request before concerned authorities Economic Impact : He has helped in the conserving of multiple natural habitats that have supported the indigenous communities to sustain Environmental Impact : He has bought significant violations of law with respect to environment issues in Assam before the courts. He has also worked to stop polluting industries in No Development Zone around Kaziranga

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Recipients of Eastern Himalayan Conservation Social Impact Awards Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury 2013, Assam

Anwaruddin Choudhury is an ornithologist, mammologist, artist, civil servant, photographer and author of several books on wildlife, notably known for writing a book on ‗Mammals of India‘ in 2016. Anwaruddin is also known for his artistic talent related to nature and wildlife documentation in India. His artworks have been published in various Indian and International scientific journals, magazines and periodicals including the Oriental Bird Club Bulletin, published from United Kingdom.

Social Impact: Anwaruddin Choudhury was influential in ensuring a rural district of Assam to start e-governance giving transparency to the rural poor.

He also took active part and partially succeeded in reducing social murders in the name of witch-hunting in remote areas such as Baksa district at the edge of Eastern Himalaya in Assam Economic Impact: He has helped in the securing of multiple protected areas, that provides the community with invaluable ecosystem services Environmental Impact: He is the author of more than 500 scientific articles and papers, including 17 authored books and monographs on Ecology and Environment, and also 29 detailed survey reports on wildlife. He is also the founder of the Rhino Foundation for Nature. He has been involved in scientific research and conservation work in the North-east Indian landscape for more than 25 years

Khanchendzonga Conservation Committee 2015, Sikkim

Khanchendzonga Conservation Committee NGO was formed in 1996 constituting representatives from local community and stakeholders from the tourism industry to work towards conservation of natural and cultural aspects of Sikkim. KCC aims to assess and mitigate negative impact of developmental activities in the state. Its roles include skill development programs, micro planning, awareness campaigns, monitoring of natural resources and also advocacy for required policy changes Social Impact : The KCC has promoted the construction of toilets in Sikkim.

It is also campaigning against water contamination from human wastes Economic Impact : They are involved in promotion of community-based tourism to provide sustainable employment opportunities and revenue to local community members Environmental Impact : The KCC has been helping restoration of forest areas in Sikkim with prioritized focus in and around Khanchendzonga National Park. The committee is promoting sustainable tourism for the zero-waste trekking trails and camps by providing training programs to nature guides, home stay operators, tour operators, porters and other staff

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Miksak Apal Natural Resource Management Group 2016, Meghalaya

Formed in 2004- 2005, the Miksak Apal Natural Resource Management Group (NaRMG) trains the village community of Selbagre in natural resource, organisation and financial management with an emphasis on the restoration of the environment along with improvement of livelihoods. published from United Kingdom. Because of the efforts of Miksak Apal Natural Resource Management Group, the community conserved forest is now also home to elephants, wild pigs, monkeys, deer, different species of birds and reptiles, and even the endangered Hoolock gibbon

Social Impact : Natural Resource Management group (NaRMG) and Self Help Groups (SHG) were formed in the village under NERCORMP / IFAD project in the year 2005 as a part of community institution building so as to start the developmental works in the village where community conserve Area and biodiversity conservation was made important

Economic Impact : The committee established a centre for cane and bamboo value added products, which makes different types furniture and tools for daily use at home and agriculture field. Hence, contributing to small income generation for the villagers

Environmental Impact : The village has become now a tourist attraction point also for many people from different parts.

One could feel the serene beauty, pleasant environment, the calmness and quietness while spending time inside the forest.

Because of the conservation the forest, the village is now back with abundant of wild edible products, wildlife, many streams that acts as a continuous supply of water

Joint Forest Management Committee, Bhairabkunda 2017, Assam Amid the gloom of large scale deforestation in the Udalguri region of Assam, 6 villages on the India-Bhutan border at Bhairabkhunda have come together to regenerate a stretch of barren sandy forest land. This Joint Community Conservation Initiative under the Committee name ―Sonai Rupa‖ has regenerated 500 hectares of deforested land to a picturesque man-made forest that was planted with 10 lakhs of sapling and now serves as a shelter to wild elephants, deers, monkeys, leopards, bears along with various species of flora

Social Impact : The restoration has led to conservation of much needed forest products for local use, food and medicine, meets the increasing demand for ecosystem services and generates livelihoods for the Communities Economic Impact : The restoration of forest meets the increasing demand for ecosystem services- in particular the many provisioning services of forests as many people heavily rely on forests for livelihoods and products such as timber, medicines, thatch, fibre and meat. It is a hub for labour intensive work such as plantation of trees, shrub planting etc.

Environmental Impact : They converted a plot of barren sandy lands measuring 500 hectare (5 sq KM) into a new picturesque forest by planting khoir, gomari, simul, shisum etc near Dhansiri river which is very close to Bhutan and Arunachal

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Recipients of Green Guru Social Impact Awards 2013 - 2017 Uttam Terron 2013, Assam

Uttam Teron established Parijat Academy in 2003 by spending his hard earned money of â‚š800 as a tutor, to convert a cowshed into a classroom and four students to begin with Social Impact : He helped more than 500 children receive education in the tribal villages of Assam, including Pamohi, Maghuapara, Deosutal, Garchuk, Mainakhorong, Dhalbama, Nowagaon, Garoghuli, Garbhanga, Ahomgaon, Kotokipara, Chakardo, Pahamjila and Natun Garbhanga Economic Impact: By providing free education to the children of tribal villagers who mainly depend on mining for a living, Teron is providing the future of tribal community members with alternative livelihood options that will promote them to take up well-paid and better jobs Economic Impact: Uttam Teron is assisting in diverting the younger generation away from mining activities and sensitizing them towards nature and environment. He regularly carries out nature treks, organic farming programs and self-sustaining programs with the children. He also collects school supplies by reusing old books, bags and stationery

Nimesh Ved 2015, Mizoram

Nimesh Ved leads the Samrakshan, a Non-profit organization that has been working towards conservation education and capacity building in North-east India for more than a decade

Social Impact: Nimesh has reached out to multiple stakeholders ranging from local communities of rural villages to governing bodies, where he has been able to convey the message of importance of wildlife conservation to the masses

Economic Impact: Nimesh Ved‘s contribution to wildlife conservation and education has not directly brought about significant economic impacts

Economic Impact: He has raised awareness regarding conservation issue in Northeast India among various stakeholders. He has also documented interesting micro and mega fauna that he has published as short notes and reports in reputed scientific journals and magazines. His writings and articles on conservation issues in Mizoram have helped in bringing awareness regarding the problems faced by wildlife in Northeast India

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Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Network 2015, Mizoram Since 2010, the year of its inception, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Network (BIOCONE) NGO, has been growing in the field of nature conservation in Mizoram Social Impact: BIOCONE has carried out outreach programs with local community members in the past in the villages of Mizoram and also consecutively carried out cleanup drives during the nature trail as a part of the program Economic Impact: BIOCONE is focused on promoting ecotourism in Northeast India

Environmental Impact: BIOCONE has been able to conserve more than 1500 hectares of forest land in Mizoram through the help of community leaders

Purnima Devi Barman 2016, Assam A guardian for the Greater Adjutant Stork in Assam, Purnima Devi Barman have campaigned relentlessly for the conservation of this rare species, influenced public opinion and boosted the chances of their survival Social Impact: Ms. Barman‘s relentless campaigns led to educating the villagers on the importance of the hargila in the ecosystem Economic Impact : With the formation of the hargila army and the various activities performed by the group such as traditional cooking competition, crafts making competition, weaving etc. have led towards economic upliftment of the women groups through small income generation Environmental Impact: Her impassioned campaign has influenced public opinion and boosted the chances of the survival of this rare species

Dr. Sourabh Deb 2017, Tripura Dr. Sourabh Deb is a Professor at the Tripura University, arguably the only University in India where Forestry and Biodiversity is taught as a subject in master‘s programme Social Impact : Being a Professor of Forestry and Biodiversity, he guides his students, who are mostly from rural communities, on the value of solution based forestry and biodiversity research in tune with the emerging global concerns on the degradation of our Nature Economic Impact Dr. Deb ‗s research outcomes are ultimately reaching to the users‘ viz., forest dwellers, farmers/orchardists, State Forest and other allied departments and different voluntary organization

Environmental Impact Dr. Deb ‗s research outcomes are ultimately reaching to the users‘ viz., forest dwellers, farmers/orchardists, State Forest and other allied departments and different voluntary organization

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Recipients of Young Naturalist Social Impact Awards 2013 - 2017 Munjali Tokbipi 2013, Assam

A member of the Karbi Community, Munjali has been working relentlessly to protect wildlife and green cover in the Karbi-Anglong landscape along with local communities Social Impact: Munjali is the first female wildlife researcher from the KarbiAnglong landscape to take up wildlife conservation and management as a fulltime career. In process, she has become an inspiration for the local youth, especially the women of tribal communities to follow the similar upbeat career paths that Munjali started

Economic Impact: Munjali‘s work did not result in the direct delivery of economic outputs but her involvement in the ecological research work in the Karbi-Anglong landscape has helped expose the youth of the region to adopt livelihood opportunities by supporting wildlife conservation based initiatives

Environmental Impact: Results of the Karbi-Anglong occupancy study of large mammals, which Munjali was a part of, carried out more than12000 interviews with informants (hunters, shifting agriculturists, etc) in 285 grids in the study area. The study revealed that 70% of the total area of the district was permeable to tiger movement.

Tongam Rina 2014, Arunachal Pradesh

Tongam Rina is the Associate Editor of The Arunachal Times and is known for her bold articles on current affairs in Northeast India. She was near-fatally shot in front of her office in 2012 by gunmen for writing on sensitive issues Social Impact: Tongam has reported and written on the discrimination and imbalance of rights and power for the local communities in Arunachal Pradesh. She is also raised her voice on the atrocities against the women in Arunachal Pradesh Economic Impact: Tongam‘s reports and articles on current events in Arunachal Pradesh have highlighted economic viewpoints and conditions prevailing in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and also in other states of Northeast India

Environmental Impact: Her reporting on issues like the illegal construction of hydro dams in Arunachal Pradesh helped in informing and bringing the problem under public viewing

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Thingnam Girija 2015, Manipur Thingnam Girija is an ardent nature lover and wild flower enthusiast. Her association with Dr Tabish Qureshi of Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi led to the creation of the website www.flowersofindia.net, which is one of the few citizenscience based initiatives dedicatedly on the flora of the country Social Impact: Thingnam‘s contribution has helped encourage younger generation from Manipur and outside to take interest in Natural History documentation Economic Impact: : Her contribution has helped in increasing awareness of economically important floral species, as mentioned in the website that she is a part of – www.flowersofindia.net Economic Impact: : Her contribution has helped in increasing awareness of economically important floral species, as mentioned in the website that she is a part of – www.flowersofindia.net

Sandeep Gurung 2016, Sikkim A writer and green activist Sandeep Gurung runs Oh My India (OMI), a social group that creates awareness on the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling domestic waste, which has inspired thousands of individuals to change their lifestyles Social Impact: He has showcased his art works in several events to educate the public and specially the school students on concept of 3 R‘s (reduce, reuse and recycle) Economic Impact: His initiatives provides a platform to independent artisans, designers, NGO‘s and SHG‘s to showcase and sell their products Environmental Impact: : Products created or retail are mostly handmade, natural and animal friendly. Resources used are mostly household wastes to create gift items like photo frames, stationery holders and wall decors

Hiskiya Sangma 2017, Assam Hisikiya Sangma is associated with NGO, MASK where he is playing an active role in natural resource management program in association with community. He has completed 2 documentaries ―Life of a forest guard‖ and ―Protected Area Community‖ for the State Forest Department, Assam.

Social Impact He is involved in awareness programme conducted by MASK on forest conservation in rural areas

Environmental Impact: : As part of Ecosystem India, he created impactful videos on Pygmy Hog which has helped the project authority to record the behaviour of this endangered animal

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Recipients of Young Naturalist Social Impact Awards 2013 - 2017 Neelam Dutta 2013, Assam

Neelam Dutta, the proprietor of Lakshmi Agriculture Multipurpose Project (LAMP), works on the motive of increasing productivity, availability and affordability of agricultural products. Neelam begun working on agriculture and related projects from the age of 17, and has been exploring related field like fish rearing, fish breeding, paddy cultivation, exotic vegetable cultivation, organic manure and bio-pesticide production. He is also a well-known consultant in India in the Organic Agriculture Domain

Social Impact: Neelam is involved with the Assam Agricultural University through an MOU, towards research based propagation of efficient agricultural practices.. Through LAMP, he also provides onsite consultancy to farms, fisheries and nurseries in productivity and practice issues

Environmental Impact: LAMP follows and promotes organic cultivation of common and exotic variants of crops. LAMP also makes use of vermiculture hatcheries instead of chemical fertilizers for increasing productivity in its agricultural, horticultural and plantation crops. Highlight of LAMP has been fish production. He is also involved in various farming activities like scientific fisheries, fish seed eco-hatchery and indigenous breeding of local fish varieties as well as ornamental fishes

Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah 2015, Assam

Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah is a principal scientist who has developed various models of integrated farming systems during his career. He is also involved in the research of domesticated animals like the mithun and pig. He also facilitated the release of Northeast Indian indigenous variants of rice, turmeric and tomatoes to the local markets Social Impact: His work on animal sciences and indigenous food in Assam has helped reduce food security concerns in Northeast India

Economic Impact: He has contributed in promoting within-state local trade of food, and thus reducing dependence of food trade from other states

Environmental Impact: His work has helped in introduction of sustainable agriculture to more than 300 farming communities in Northeast India

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Robin Naiding 2016, Assam

Belonging to the Dimasa Tribe of Bagadima village, Robin Naiding hails from a poor family with seven of his children. Realizing the importance of Natural Resource Management, he encouraged and sensitized the whole village community of Bagadima (comprising of 42 households) to create less pressure on the forest cover and make the best use of land and its resources in a sustainable manner Social Impact: The initiative taken by Naiding, led the villagers to receive Indira Awaas Yojana Schemes for 12 households, job cards for 40 households and old age pension schemes for 8 villagers. Through his initiative, every household in his village was able to grow litchi, mango, parkia and other organic foods with the help of kitchen gardening practices

Economic Impact: Robin Naiding encouraged the villagers to grow foods like parkia, mango and litchi that were of high demand in the market. Through his help, the villagers also took initiative in horticulture farming

Environmental Impact: Naiding planted more than 300 native tree saplings within the village, and he helped distribute around 500 saplings to other villagers and nearby areas. He encourages sustainable farming practices among villagers and farmers. He and members of the village took up the initiative to plant 700 saplings every year in Bagadima Village. His contribution also aided in increasing reach and demand of horticulture markets

Krishna Bodo 2017, Assam Bhogdabari, a village near Boko in Assam‘s Kamrup district is also known as Omita gaon (papaya village). When 39-year-old Krishna Boro began growing papaya plants on his half a Bigha of land, little did he know that within three years, it would change the way his village looked. 14 farmers joined him in his endeavour, and commercial success came to them soon enough as they had a turnover of Rs 80,000 within two years Social Impact: What began as an initiative by one man in the village, 37year-old Krishna Bodo is yielding economic returns for other farmers in up to 3 villages, who are replicating the same model of sustainable farming to grow Papayas in the village

Economic Impact: With the yield and consequent economic return, the farmers have a sustainable livelihood while equally benefitting the environment

Environmental Impact: Farmers of the Bhogdabari village near Boko in Assam are transforming barren 61 bighas of land through sustainable farming into organic Papaya fields. The farmers are now being linked to creating a Farmer Producer Organization, an important initiate undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture to promote and strengthen member-based institutions of farmers, who will provide the necessary skill building and training, raw material

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Recipients of Nature Conservancy Social Impact Awards 2013 - 2017 Karbi Anglong Police Department 2013, Assam A long history of one-horned rhino poaching in Assam influenced KAPD to work dedicatedly towards wildlife crime. Hard work and honest officers with their wide network of informants and countless hours of effort finally brought KAPD their breakthrough when they arrested seven individuals in Roja Pahar Area, Assam th when they were involved in the poaching of a rhino on the 13 of October 2012.

Following which seven more poachers were arrested by KAPD with possession of an AK-47 rifle and .303 rifle. A long list of arrests related to rhino poaching occurred after the initial arrests and atleast 47 suspects were caught in this duration.

Social Impact: KAPD‘s operations to combat wildlife trade and crime was at around the time when the state of Assam was recuperating from after effects from flood and dealing with constant communal violence

Environmental Impact: KAPD‘s efforts have directly resulted in securing the population of the existing One-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park and neighbouring areas. KAPD‘s contribution in controlling the wildlife trade and crime managed to damage the network of poachers, middlemen and buyers. The overall number of poaching cases have also gone down since KAPD‘s involvement

Panchan Lahkar Community Conserved Area Management Committee 2015, Assam The villagers of Kharman and Kyalegteng in Arunachal Pradesh were inspired by the idea of Community Conserved Area and approached Tata Trusts and WWF – India for technical and financial support to demarcate 85 km² of unclassed State Forest land as the Pangchen Lakhar Community Conserved Area (PLACCA). The Committee for PLACCA was formed by members of the Panchayat, village elders, and youth who work for the conservation and management of the forests. And their agenda was to secure the neighboring forests and its wilderness Social Impact: The Committee has be proactive in promoting and encouraging local villagers to take up agriculture for their livelihood. They are also interacting with villagers and fostering them to practice traditional mitigation techniques to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Beneficiaries of PLACCAMC are about 14 villages and more than 400 households Economic Impact: The Committee is promoting Community-based Tourism in collaboration with other village institutions

Environmental Impact: The Pangchen Lakhar Community Conserved Area has been successful in safeguarding the homes of the endangered Red Panda, Musk Deer, Serow, Goral, Himalayan Black Bears, Siberian Weasels, Leopards and Wild Dogs

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Deben Bora 2016, Assam

The villagers of Kharman and Kyalegteng in Arunachal Pradesh were inspired by the idea of Community Conserved Area and approached Tata Trusts and WWF – India for technical and financial support to demarcate 85 km² of unclassed State Forest land as the Pangchen Lakhar Community Conserved Area (PLACCA). The Committee for PLACCA was formed by members of the Panchayat, village elders, and youth who work for the conservation and management of the forests. And their agenda was to secure the neighboring forests and its wilderness

Social Impact: Bora organized awareness meetings in multiple rhinopoaching dominated areas on the importance of protection of Rhinos. He also strengthened highway patrolling of wildlife trade and poaching to reduce rhinos from being killed in Kaziranga National Park

Environmental Impact Bora continues to play a major role in conservation of one-horned rhinos in Kaziranga National Park. He also facilitated in organizing village defence parties in rhino poaching areas in Assam

Bhutan Glory Eco Club 2016, Nagaland In the remote areas of North East, in the Fakim village, hunting of Wildlife & Jhum Cultivation practice is causing rapid deforestation and degradation of the environment. In pursuit of inculcating pride in the youth of Nagaland towards the Natural heritage and the value of conservation for a more sustainable and equitable future for themselves, Tsuseki and Limthure started the Bhutan Glory Eco Club to include the youth in conservation with the mission ―Shoot, but with camera, not gun‖. Their work has helped bring more focus to Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary which boasts of the endemic butterfly species – Bhutan Glory Social Impact: Limthure and Tsuseki has brought a change in the mindset of the community members with regard to protection of their natural resources. They also documented the biodiversity of their forests and produced a booklet ‗Wildlife of Fakim Village‘. This was reproduced by the forest department for further distribution

Economic Impact: Acquaintance with several NGO‘s and research scholars as well as Tourist is generating income to the locality

Environmental Impact: They bought significant changes in collaboration with conservation related departments and Ngo‘s – hunting, logging etc. Also they succeeded in bringing awareness on proper utilisation of dustbins, proper drainage system and controlling pig rearing

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Recipient of Nature Activist Social Impact Award 2014 Saipari Sailo 2014, Meghalaya

Saipari is a post-doctoral fellow at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) who has been immensely involved in the field of wildlife science and conservation since 2004. Her field of interest is specifically in herpetology, and she has also been a part of the team that discovered a new species of frog Leptotalax tamdil in Tamdil Lake, Mizoram. Her discovery was documented and published in the international scientific journal Zootaxa

Social Impact: Saipari‘s wildlife science and conservation work has very little or no social impact to communities

Environmental Impact: Saipari has extensively worked on studying the distribution and ecology of amphibian communities in India. She has also worked on impact of human-related changes on amphibians and other herps as well.

She has also carried out biodiversity assessment of amphibians in different regions in Northeast India

Recipient of Young Entrepreneur Social Impact Award 2014 Bano Haralu 2014, Nagaland Bano Haralu is a retired and revolutionary television journalist with an experience of more than two decades in Doordarshan and NDTV. She then began her pursuit to promote wildlife conservation in and around India. She has been involved in working towards conservation in Nagaland since 2010. She has been instrumental in raising awareness for the Amur Falcons that were being hunted at an alarming rate by the local community in the state if Nagaland. She was one of the first few people to document the mass-hunting issue of Amur Falcons Social Impact: She has supported local communities in getting livelihood opportunities in Nagaland by promoting bird guide training programs through NWBCT Economic Impact: Bano‘s contribution to wildlife conservation and local communities has brought about positive changes to the lives of the people in Nagaland Environmental Impact: Bano initiated and spearheaded the Avian and Wildlife survey for the government, which was later published as the ‗Birds of Nagaland‘. She also formed the Nagaland Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation Trust (NWBCT) in 2013 and serves as its managing trustee. Her organization, NWBCT has also helped carry out conservation education programmes in Nagaland

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Recipient of Habitat Conservation Social Impact Award 2014 Tana Tapi & Takam Nabam & the Ghora Aabhe Society 2014, Arunachal Pradesh The Ghora Aabhe Society consists of reformed hunters and conservationists living in and around Pakke Tiger Reserve, who have become the guardians of wildlife in this landscape. Situated in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, members of the society are known for carrying out ground-level conservation work with communities and governing agencies towards the awareness and conservation of biodiversity. Two of the key people from the society are Tana Tapi and Takum Nabum.

Social Impact: The Ghore Aabhe Society helped in the formation and capacity building of the women self-help group in Pakke. The society also provided mosquito nets to the Adhivasi tribe of remote villages Economic Impact: The Gohre Aabhe Society helped develop the Eco-Camp at Seijosa, Arunachal Pradesh, which helped provide income and employment opportunities for the local people through the tourism sector Environmental Impact: The Ghore Aabhe Society carried out wildlife protection and global warming campaign in multiple village around Pakke and other villages in and around Arunachal Pradesh. The society was also involved in eviction drive of encroachers from Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary. They also help in the seizure of illegal weapons from poachers from the forests

Recipient of Conservation Through Innovation Social Impact Award 2014 Binod Bora 2014, Assam Binod ‗Dulu‘ Bora is a key member of the Green Guards Nature Organization in Assam and he has dedicated his life towards wildlife conservation and rescue of wild animals from illegal trade. Bora specializes on human-wildlife conflict matters in Assam, especially ones involving Asian elephant conflict mitigation and managing of straying leopards. His organization works on mitigation plans to deal with human and elephant deaths caused during interactions in the Nagaon-Karbi Anglong landscape Social Impact: Bora takes initiative and interest in interactions between schools, teachers and students to talk about conservation issues, importance of biodiversity and on how to contribute towards wildlife

Environmental Impact: Bora assists his team in carrying out alternative livelihood programs and rehabilitating expoachers, snake charmers and other local community members who used to rely on exploiting nature for a living. He is also a part of several wildlife awareness programs in and around the Karbi-Anglong Landscape

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Recipient of Wildlife Conservation Social Impact Award 2014 Aparajita Datta 2014, Arunachal Pradesh A Wildlife Biologist, Senior Scientist and Board Member with Nature Conservation Foundation and member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Aparajita has a long list of accomplishments on her back, involving community development and safeguarding wildlife, especially hornbill conservation with an experience spanning for more than 20 years Social Impact: Aparajita has worked along with the Lisu tribe in facing social and conservation-related challenges in and around Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh

Environmental Impact: She has been involved in the marketing of local handicrafts made by tribal community members.

And along with the Lisu tribe members, she is also nature tourism initiatives for creating livelihood opportunities towards the local community Environmental Impact: Aparajita has worked towards the conservation of hornbills in North-east India. She has created community and social science-based conservation models to improve the population of hornbills in North-east India

Recipient of Green Journalist Social Impact Award 2017 Amit Patro 2017, Sikkim Amit Patro, an indomitable Journalist has been the pioneer of the culture of daily newspapers in Sikkim from 2003. Through the platform of Sikkim Express, he continues to bring to light several environmental causes, local stories, grievances of the local people and recognize local heroes in the pursuit of socio-economic empowerment of these societies and communities. His contribution towards the growth of media in Sikkim has been enormous

Social Impact : His initiatives through Sikkim express was successful in bringing a change in the mindset of the people of the State. They were successful in telling the people and their readers that they are the news and their every achievement or grievances is news for public consumption in Sikkim. Be it cleanliness drive, plantation drive on World Environment Day, sensitisation workshop against human trafficking, no water supply in their village, celebrating a meritorious student or a football tournament – all these have now become a part of their daily newspaper

Environmental Impact : Amit Patro has been writing a lot of editorials on environmental issues from the past few years.

He has also dedicated a page to Environment in Sikkim Express which is published in Sikkim Express every Sunday since 2007. It has now also been a priority of Sikkim Express to give prominent space to environmental stories. They also given wide coverage to NGOs or individuals working in Sikkim towards environment conservation

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Recipient of Ecological Restoration Social Impact Award 2013 – 2-14 Jadav Payeng 2013, Assam Jadhav ‗Mulai‘ Payeng belongs to the ‘Mishing’ tribe (one of the largest ethnic groups of Assam). He used to live in the forest ‘Mulai Kathoni’ at Aruna Chapori, with his wife and three children where his only source of income was selling milk. (He recently moved to his ancestral village in Jorhat District for the sake of his children‘s education). ‘Mulai Kathoni’ - the forest was the name given by the Government of Assam, and it is called rightly so as he was the one who helped create it

Social Impact : Jadav has become an inspiration for the current generation on how a single individual‘s contribution can be influential enough to bring about positive change in the environment Economic Impact : His role in creation of the ‗man-made forest‘ has helped in the development of ecosystem services, value of which is immeasurable quantitatively to mankind

Environmental Impact : The Forest Jadav helped grow, ‘Mulai Kathoni’ provides shelter to atleast three rhinoceros and multiple other ungulates. It is also home to more than four Bengal Tigers (Panthera tigris). A herd of 150 elephants are known to regularly the Mulai forest each year. The avian diversity of Mulai forest is quite diverse with a good population of vultures. The forest is also home to thousands of trees among which are arjun, valcol, gulmohur, ejar, himolu, moj koroi, and hilikha are noteworthy

Dr. Kashmira Kakati 2014, Assam

Born and brought up in Assam, Kashmira is a Wildlife Biologist working towards safeguarding a patch of 500 km² of rainforest in Jeypore-Dehing lowlands which includes Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam.

While she worked for a carnivore project in the forests of Jeypore-Dehing she discovered that the forest patch of Jeypore-Dehing was home to seven species of wildcats and multiple other species of carnivores as well Social Impact: Kashmira‘s efforts towards the conservation of the forests of Jeypore-Dehing has directly helped in supporting the local community who have lived in this landscape since a long time

Environmental Impact : Camera Trapping work carried out by Kashmira resulted in the discovery of seven wild cats and multiple other rare fauna at the forests of Jeypore-Dehing: Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata), Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii), Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), Indian leopard (Panthera pardus), Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Dhole (Cuon alpinus), Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus), Binturong (Arctictis binturong) and also various other species of mongooses, otters and civets. Her work also resulted in the first camera-trap record of Small-toothed Palm Civet (Arctogalida trivirgata) from India

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Recipient of Mark Shand Mahout Social Impact Award 2014 Purna Chandra Rabha 2014, Assam

Purna Chandra began as a Mahout back in 1945. Back then, a young Purna started off by being an assistant to the trainer mahout. He then learnt the art of handling and interacting with elephants. Since then, Purna Chandra has dedicatedly served the Assam Forest Department as a dedicated and passionate mahout and immersed his life towards the conservation of Asian Elephants

Bhumidhar Deka 2014, Assam m

Bhumidhar is a skilled forest worker who has been serving as a mahout in Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary since 2011. Deka is an expert in Rhino behavior, and he begun working in Pabitora in 1993. During which he recovered three rhino horns from the sanctuary premises and handed them over to the forest department. Since 1993, Deka has been responsible in the bringing back multiple straying rhinos that may have wandered outside protected areas. He also has a strong rapport with the local community members near Pabitora. His work has greatly contributed in the conservation of the Indian Rhinoceros.

Mongal Ghatowal 2014, Assam m

Starting off as a grass cutter in Assam Forest department, Mongal Ghatowal, now a reputed and retired ‗Mahout‘ is a highly respected individual and is known for his love for elephants. The forest department were able to see his talent and passion towards communicating with elephants as so he was appointed as a mahout. Hi is particularly known for his courage and ability of managing ‗difficult‘ elephants

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Sukla Das 2014, Assam m

Born and brought up in Patosali village in Balipara Reserve Forest, Sukla is an extraordinary individual and mahout with immense traditional knowledge about nature, wildlife and communities. Sukla is known for his forest stories and is also considered an expert boatman, guide and naturalist. He is very well informed regarding the whereabouts on every nook and corner of Nameri National Park.

Kiron Rabha 2014, Assam m

Born in a family with a strong lineage of mahouts, Kiron was born with an inherent understanding of the gentle giants. His family has always had the legacy of capturing wild elephants. His upbringing was in an environment wherein he was fortunate enough to learn about all tricks regarding the mela shikar, traditional medicines and training of wild elephants. Kiron joined the forest department as a grass cutter in 1990, but was later promoted as a mahout in 1999. Since then he has been serving and handling elephants, and in particular taking care of an impossible-tohandle elephant called ‗Kartik‘

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Recipient of Forest Rangers & Guard Social Impact Award 2015 -2017 Namita Kalita 2015, Assam

Posted at Ghorakati Range under Kaziranga National Park, Namita has been instrumental in resolving various difficult situations arising within the park. Her passion and dedication for wildlife has led to her taking immense initiative in her work. She is also known to have great leadership qualities; one of the examples of her exemplary work was during the floods that hit Kaziranga in 2014, wherein she tirelessly engaged in rescue operations of wild animals.

Dharmistha Medhi Das 2015, Assam m

Posted in the Bonda Forest Camp under the Guwahati Wildlife Division, Dharmistha is a sincere and brave forest guard. She is particularly well known for her dedication towards wildlife, and is also a part of the impressive lineup of Kaziranga‘s forest patrolling personnel. She has displayed tremendous leadership qualities and presence of mind during her patrolling duties. Her contribution to the wildlife of Bonda area is indispensable.

Pema Thinlye 2015, Assam m

Pema‘s multifaceted contribution to conservation through his work as a Range Officer in different beats in Bhutan has been proven to be invaluable.

He has been providing law enforcement and technical guidance to farmers and local government bodies in matters pertaining to wildlife and forestry. He is also involved in the working and implementation of human-wildlife conflict mitigation measures in Bhutan. At present, Pema is the Range Officer in the Tashichholing Range of Samste, Bhutan under the Department of Forest and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu.

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Amar Singh Deka 2015, Assam Amar sing has dedicated more than 25 years of forest service in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve. Known for his fearless attitude and nature, Amar joined as a Home Guard in Kaziranga National Park in the late 1990s.

During the same time, he was also fatally attacked by a Wild Buffalo while on duty. After recovering from the accident, Amar joined the department as a worker on protection duty to combat poaching activities inside the Park. Today, as a Forest Guard in Western Range, Bagori under Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Amar continues to serve the forests and its wild animals, to protect it with the same zeal as he had begun in the 1990s. His immense commitment towards protect the park makes him an invaluable asset

Rajen Panika 2015, Assam m

Rajen joined the Forest Department of Kaziranga National Park in December of 1992, and since then he has dedicatedly and tirelessly worked towards protecting and conserving the forests and its wildlife.

His alert and intuitive presence of mind has helped save several rhinos from being poached. Today, Rajen serves as a Forest Guard in Kaziranga, and he has contributed significantly in the conservation of the Indian Rhinoceros

Sontush A. Sangma 2015, Assam m

Sontush has contributed towards Indian Wildlife by being at its service for more than 30 years, tirelessly working in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

Sontush has a very inspiring career and life graph, that includes joining the Meghalaya Forest Department in 1985 as a muster roll employee, and then as a Forest Guard of Gateman Rank in the Balpakram Division, Garo Hills. On duty, Sontush has faced many loggers, militants and wildlife poachers during her service at multiple forest beats, always maintaining a calm and steady demeanor, leading his team from the front and ensuring their safety. Forest officials and community members, who are acquainted to him, take his name with immense admiration and respect

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Jigme Dorji 2016, Bhutan

Mr. Jigme Dorji joined the Bhutan Forest Service Department as a Range Officer and now serves as Head for Communities, Recreation and Development Section, Park Headquarter, Royal Manas National Park. Apart from carrying his official activities in an impeccable manner, Mr. Dorji have made a mark as a forest officer for working closely with the local communities and has also advocated for science-based conservation research and action. Jigme has contributed significantly to our knowledge of community based conservation initiatives, especially with reference to protecting critically endangered species such as the White-bellied Heron.

Jayashree Naiding 2016, Assam m

Jayashree Naiding is an Assistant Conservator of Forests in Kaziranga National Park. When a male rhino strayed into Tezpur town from Kaziranga National Park on June 26, 2016, it was under the leadership of Jayashree that it was driven back safely into the park. She led the staff and followed the rhino from Digali Chapori, Sri Lanka tapu and then back to Kaziranga. The following day when another rhino strayed into the Sootea area of Bebejia village, she showed exemplary spirit of leadership in coordinating with the police, CRPF, civil administration and NGOs to tranquilise the animal and taking it to the Guwahati State Zoo. Ms. Jayashree Naiding recently successfully investigated and arrested the seven accused in rhino poaching case reported from Sootea. Ms. Jayashee has been recognized by Balipara Foundation for her timely efforts towards carefully handing human-rhino interactions.

Ramen Das 2016, Assam m

Mr. Ramen Das is the longest-serving officer in Kaziranga National Park.

When he served as the Range Officer Western Range, Bagori, it was because of his information network and intelligence base that several rhino poachers could be arrested. He recently led his team to Conoor in Tamil Nadu, arrested two accused in the poaching of a female rhino and her calf in Western Range Bagori and produced them before the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Kaliabor.

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Khagen Bhuyan 2017, Assam

Forest Ranger Khagen Bhuyan is a man of extraordinary resilience. A Grassroots Leader, he has worked relentlessly to motivate fringe forest communities to desist from illegal exploitation of forest products, leading to a decrease in poaching incidents and has participated in numerous plantation drives to improve the Karbi foothills habitat. He has been actively involved in civil society efforts to improve the socio-economic condition of the area by helping the Community in conflict management and lending support for building social mobility assets for them, thereby empowering them to protect the Elephants. Khagen Bhuyan is also the man behind the first conviction in the region of poachers caught red-handed for illegal smuggling of forest products

Chakrapani Rai 2017, Assam m

Forest Ranger Chakrapani is a Range Officer in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park at Orang. Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park is located in a strategic location, encircled by hostile immigrant population. The National Park is rich with rich with biodiversity- over 30 Bengal Tigers and about 100 rhinos. Mr. Rai has adopted a carrot and stick policy in handling the people, supports good people of the fringe villages and dominates the outlaws and poachers. He has established a good network of information and strikes with precision. A good ranger equivalent to a 1000 activists and a true leader, he has fearlessly lead anti-poaching operations and killed 8 poachers, arrested 38 and recovered 14 weapons. A true hero he also involves himself in activities that enable socio-economic development of forest fringe Communities.

Zakhuma Don 2017, Mizoram m

A forest guard with the Mizoram Forest Department in the Dampa Tiger Reserve, Zakhuma is an extraordinary and quiet grassroots conservationist.

Working in the dense rainforests and bamboo stands of the northeast, he spends weeks on anti-poaching patrols, whilst coordinating camera-trapping exercises for the department and diligently documenting the exquisite but little-known biodiversity and cultural heritage of the region. In 2015, he was selected as a fellow by the Green Hub and here, learnt the basics of video documentation and editing. Despite owning no personal equipment, and having very limited access to editing softwares and the internet, Zakhuma has created a breathtaking repository of natural history images. His spectacular portfolio of images is used by the department for conservation outreach, awareness and action.

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Jampel Lhendup 2017, Bhutan m

Jampel Lhendup is a forester by profession but he has taken special interest in the application of Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tools (SMART) in wildlife management. Through his effort, Royal Manas National Park has become the first park in Bhutan to implement SMART approach of patrolling in 2013. Today, the SMART technique is replicated in all the protected areas and Divisional Forest Offices in the country through technical support from Jampel. This initiative has helped inspire many other field staff in the department to learn about the SMART software and the efficacy of wildlife protection and conservation has improved. The adoption of the software has led to cost efficiencyand project support from international donors for capacity building of the field staff. The SMART application for protection of wildlife and its habitat involves use of technology such as SMART phones.

Today, Department of forests and Park Services has become first department to use real time data logger smart phones to collect data.

Santi Ram Chetry 2017, Assam m

A forest Guard at the Kaziranga National Park, Santiram Chetry is a long-standing officer who has dedicatedly protected the inhabitants of the World Heritage Site. Due to his courage and self-networking many definite Rhino poaching attempts by the miscreants could be averted. His field knowledge in terms of animal behaviours and its movements is unparalleled. Calm and composed in the gravest of situations, Chetry has been instrumental in guiding his team in the right direction for conservation of habitats suggest measures that help conserve and maintain the rich flora and fauna of the National Park.

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Recipient of Pioneers of Long Distance River Cruising in India: Special Social Impact Award Jahnabi Phookan & Ashish Phookan 2017, Assam

In 2003 under the guidance of Jahnabi & Ashish Phookan, Assam Bengal Navigation started long-distance river cruises in India with the unique cruises on the Brahmaputra river in Assam. Later in 2007, Assam Bengal Navigation were also the first to run cruises on the Ganges river. They have created a wonderful way to explore the remote regions of Assam and Bengal and use a very undermined means of transportation.

Recipient of Environmental & Social Activist Impact Award Mainu Marak 2017, Assam

A social and an environmental activist, Mainu Marak is a local hero for the women in her village, who she has socio-economically empowered by integrating their livelihood with conservation. She has given these women a platform to voice sensitive issues like domestic violence and use the platform of SHG to overcome their challenges and create local regulations to protect their forests. In 2007, Mainu and her Group led a resistance conversation against major boulder logging and sand mining interests in the area and the outcome of their efforts led to ban on tree felling and non-intervention from the mining groups. This has allowed Mainu and the SHG to advocate for women‘s rights related to forest management and promote women‘s access and management of natural resources. Continuing with her efforts, she aims to establish a firewood plantation near her village which will be convenient for the women of the village and reduce their burden to carry firewood from the jungle.

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Lifetime Service Social Impact Award Anne Wright 2013, Assam & North Bengal Anne Wright was born the daughter of British ICS Officer and she spent her childhood in the forests of Central India. She is also the founder trustee of World Wildlife fund for Nature – India, which she helped setup in the late 1960s. She was appointed by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a member of the Tiger Task Force for Project Tiger in 1970. She then served for 19 years on the Indian Board for Wildlife and was closely involved with the passing of the Wildlife Protection Act. She was awarded ‗Order of the Golden Ark‘ and the ‗Most Excellent order of the British Empire‘ for her contributions towards wildlife.

Social Impact: Anne‘s initiative to provide waterholes in the forests of Bihar during the draught of 1968 resulted in the Forest Department also providing water to 17 forest villages.

Economic Impact: Kipling Camp, a sustainable wildlife tourism-based camp that she started, provides employment to local community members in and around Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India

Environmental Impact: Anne was a part of the Tiger Task Force that was constituted in 1970 by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi along with other influential members like Dr. Karan Singh, Dr. M.K. Ranjitsinh, Zafar Futehally and Kailash Sankhala. She was a part of the team that helped declare India‘s first nine tiger reserves. The program was funded by the Central Government and Guy Mountfort of WWF.

Dasho Palijor. J. Dorji 2014, Bhutan Called as the Godfather of Conservation in Bhutan, Dasho Paljor J. Dorji has had a distinguished career with the Royal Government of Bhutan, serving three kings in the capacity of Magistrate of Paro District 1969-1972, High Court Judge 19721974, acting Chief Justice of Bhutan 1974-1985, Chief Justice of Bhutan 19851987, Deputy Minister for Social Services 1988-1991, Ambassador to the United Nations and European capitals 1991-1994, Deputy Minister to the National Environment Commission 1994-1997. Dasho is also the Founder of the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature in Bhutan (RSPN), Bhutan‘s First Environmental NGO and the Founder President of the Bhutan Ornithological Society as well as the Bhutan Ecological Society June 2010 (BEST). He is also the Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, also accredited to Austria, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, EU (Brussels), IFAD (Rome), and FAO (Rome).

Social Impact: Dasho helped in improving lives of local communities in and around Protected Areas.

Economic Impact: Dasho‘s contribution to the field of nature and wildlife did not have significant impact in an economic stance.

Environmental Impact: Dasho was involved in promoting and encouraging various conservation efforts in Bhutan. He also encouraged research studies and conservation-based conference in Bhutan. And Dasho was also involved in fundraising for the wildlife conservation work in Bhutan.

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B. M Khaitan 2015, Assam &North Bengal

Brij Mohan Khaitan, also known as B. M.Khaitan, is the founder of the B. M. Khaitan Group. He heads McLeod Russel, the world‘s largest tea company, and is known for his involvement in philanthropic activities for the welfare of community and wildlife.

Khaitan is also an eminent Industrialist and owns the Eveready Industries India, Ltd (EIIL). Khaitan is also involved in the manufacture of various metal and chemical products. Khaitan is also called as the ‗Evergreen Team Man of India‘ within the Tea Industry.

Social Impact: Khaitan has been involved in the acquiring of various tea estates and companies in Assam and has managed to keep them in safe hands from being converted to plantations.

He has also carried out several community welfare-based programs.

Economic Impact: Khaitan has been involved in playing a crucial part in the making of McLeod Russel into the world‘s largest tea company. He also was responsible in making Eveready Industries India, Ltd (EIIL) into India‘s largest battery maker.

Environmental Impact: Khaitan is known to have helped carry out multiple soil-conservation programmes in Assam. He has also been involved in various programmes and initiatives to conserve the biodiversity around tea estates in Assam.

Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha 2016, Assam & North Bengal A leading authority on Nepal‘s biodiversity and taxonomic classification, Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha has devoted his entire life to the conservation of biological diversity and ecosystems in the Eastern Himalaya. The foremost botanist and a hero of environmental conservation of endemic plant species in Nepal, Dr. Shrestha served as the team leader for the creation of Makalu-Barun National Park and has helped to classify major forests in the country throughout his career. As the author of Nepal's Country Report on Biodiversity, Dr. Shrestha has conducted the classification of rare and endangered taxa across the country. Not only that, he has authored more than 20 books, and hundreds of articles, containing new discoveries, concepts and ideas that he have helped mainstream conservation through education and journalism. His management plans identified indigenous wisdom to be necessary to create locally-viable solutions for Nepal‘s national parks were way ahead of its time.

Social Impact: Dr. Tirtha is the author of numerous books and articles including 'Gymnosperms of Nepal, ‗Classification of Nepalese forests and their Distribution in Protected Areas' and 'Himalayan Flowers and Trees‘. Dr. Shrestha has contributed immensely towards educating the mass about the importance of the biodiversity-rich Eastern Himalayas.

Environmental Impact: Dr. Tirtha has helped classify major forests in the country throughout his career. He also engaged in plant collection in all 75 districts in Nepal. He has advocated for study and classification of lichens, mosses and fungi, and helped in classification of most of the country's angiosperms.

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Haokholet Kipgen 2017, Manipur Under the leadership of Haokholet Kipgen, FEEDS has adopted many innovative and unique community inclusive projects that makes the best use of our natural resources and brings into complementary relationship the needs of economic development with our living environment. The centre is of relevance not only to the Himalayan region and India but the world as a whole for its contribution towards development of Rural upland Agro-forestry, family base Tea Plantation, Commercial flower cultivation, conservation of Orchids and extension service.

Social Impact: The organosation has acquired tremendous experience in terms of its activities and commendable achievements in the development of Rural upland Agro- forestry, family base Tea Plantation, Commercial flower cultivation, conservation of orchids and Economic Impact: The foundation has distributed 300,000 saplings of various kinds of plants to the villagers and the field assistants are assisting in the plantation works. In order to cope up with the prevailing deteriorating environment and economic conditions, the FEEDS introduced Silvi-Agri-Horticulture plantation to preserve ecology and improve economy of the region.

Environmental Impact: Under the intiative of Mr. Kipgen, one of FEED‘s major area of focus is to impart education as well as job opportunity to many youths and many particularly the farmers.

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Balipara Foundation Award Winners 2013-2017

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

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