Machhli and Vanya Prani Mitra awards for wildlife conservation in Rajasthan announced
Machhli and Vanya Prani Mitra awards for wildlife conservation in Rajasthan announced
Hyderabad, August 18, 2021: The second edition of the prestigious Machhli Award and Vanya Prani Mitra Award to promote wildlife conservation was held today in a virtual ceremony. The awards are jointly instituted by Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF) and WWF India.
This year’s recipients of the Machhli Award are Mahesh Kumar Sharma (forest ranger - WL), Premendra Singh (forester), Mukesh Kumar (forest guard), Pappu Singh (forest guard), Virendra Singh (forest guard) and Man Singh (pump operator), Lakhan Singh (forest Ranger), Umesh Jat (assistant forester), and Ramveer Singh Gurjar (forest guard).
The Vanya Prani Mitra Award was won by Ms Prem Kanwar Shaktawat (Assistant Forester) and Dwarka Prasad Sharma (assistant forester).
The Machhli Award carries a cash/in-kind equivalent award of Rs one lakh and a citation. Named after the legendary tigress of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, the award aims to recognise exceptional contribution by the field staff of the Rajasthan Forest Department, local community member, an individual or a group in conserving wildlife and their habitats across the length and breadth of the state.
The Vanya Prani Mitra Award is for outstanding contribution to management of human wildlife conflict in Rajasthan. This award carries a cash/in-kind equivalent award of Rs two lakhs and a citation.
The awardees were selected by an eminent committee chaired by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Rajasthan and senior forest official of the Rajasthan Forest Department, renowned personality with interest in environment and nature conservation, representatives of Prabha Khaitan Foundation and WWF India. Present at the event is Areendam Tomar, PCCF & HoFF Rajasthan Forest Department as Chief Guest, Mr Bittu Sahgal, Founder of Sanctuary Nature Foundation; Mr Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF India as Special Guests; Ms Apra Kuchhal, Honorary Convenor of Rajasthan & Central India Affairs, PKF; Mr R.G. Soni ; and Mr Rajpal Singh.
Ms. Apra Kuchhal, Honorary Convenor of Rajasthan & Central India Affairs, Prabha Khaitan Foundation said: “The second edition of the awards recognizes the commendable efforts of the awardees to protect our precious wildlife in Rajasthan. We hope that this recognition will encourage forest and wildlife officials and activists to strengthen their commit to community-led conservation of wildlife against mounting odds.”
Dr. Dipankar Ghose, Director, Wildlife and Habitats Programme, WWF India said “We are thankful to the Prabha Khaitan Foundation for partnering with WWF India to constitute these awards. Such recognition will go a long way in encouraging the field staff of the Rajasthan Forest Department who protect and conserve the state’s wild animals and their habitats often at great peril to themselves.”
About WWF- India
WWF India is committed to creating and demonstrating practical solutions that help conserve India’s ecosystems and rich biodiversity. Marking 50 years of conservation journey in the country, WWF India works towards finding science-based and sustainable solutions to address challenges at the interface of development and conservation. Today, with over 70 offices across 20 states, WWF India’s work spans across thematic areas including the conservation of key wildlife species and their habitats, management of rivers, wetlands and their ecosystems, climate change adaptation, driving sustainable solutions for business and agriculture, empowering local communities as stewards of conservation, combatting illegal wildlife trade and inspiring students and citizens to take positive action for the environment through outreach and awareness campaigns. WWF India is part of the WWF International Network, with presence in over 100 countries across the globe.
About PKF
Prabha Khaitan Foundation - a non-profitable trust founded by the late Dr. Prabha Khaitan. Based in Kolkata, the Foundation promotes performing arts, culture, literature, wildlife conservation and collaborates with caregivers, committed individuals and like-minded institutions to implement cultural, educational, literary and social welfare projects in around 35 cities in India and overseas.
