GUWAHATI: Rituraj Phukan, a resident of Nagaon was honoured with the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award. Phukan is a renowned environmental writer, adventurer and conservationist who has represented the region and country in numerous global climate change events.
Munmuni Payeng, the daughter of Padma Shri Jadav Payeng also known as the “Forest Man of India” was awarded the Young Naturalist Award.
Eminent conservation scientist Dr Vibhu Prakash, known for his pioneering work on vultures and instrumental in setting up the Vulture Breeding Centre in Rani, Assam, won the Lifetime Service Award.
"The Sanctuary Wildlife Awards were launched in 2000, and our strategy then was to hone in on virtually unknown wildlife defenders, shine a spotlight on their work and present them with recognition and admiration in the form of awards and public recognition. The Earth Defenders included forest guards and middle-level forest officers, quiet but brilliant scientists, teachers, young adults and photographers. They all had one thing in common: a burning desire to protect the biosphere and leave a better, safer planet for future generations," said Bittu Sahgal, Founder of Sanctuary Nature Foundation and Editor, of Sanctuary Asia.
Bangalore-based Ramana Athreya, known for discovering the Bugun Liocichla bird in Arunachal Pradesh, educationist Panchami Manoo Ukil from Odisha, conservationist Arun Venkataraman from Tamil Nadu, naturalist Shabbir Husain from Kashmir were the other Wildlife Service winners.
The event was held at the National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai on December 2, 2022.