ECO-WARRIOR AWARDS

The Eco-Warrior Awards were instituted to recognize and honor exceptional contributions in environmental conservation—especially by officers of the Indian Forest Service who work on the frontline of protecting India’s forests, wildlife, and ecosystems.

Objectives

• Acknowledging outstanding efforts in forest and wildlife conservation, protection, and sustainable practices.
• Celebrating innovation and leadership, including the use of technology and community-engagement approaches in environmental stewardship.
• Providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration among conservationists, government officials, civil society, and other stakeholders for strategic environmental action.
• Inspiring collective environmental responsibility, thereby bringing visibility to silent champions whose work preserves India’s ecological heritage.

⋙Fourth Eco Warrior Awards 2026 (Fourth Edition)

The Fourth Edition of Eco Warrior Awards, presided over by Hon'ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav, was held on 29th September 2026 in New Delhi. The awards comprised two awards in each of the six categories, besides a Lifetime Achievement Award and two awards for Special Projects. The awards were jointly organised by the Indian Forest Service Association (IFSA) and Indian Masterminds. The programme started with a welcome address by IFSA Secretary General Ms. Monalisa Dash.

Eco Warrior Conclave

A conclave featuring expert panels on contemporary environmental issues facing the country was organised as part of the programme.

Session I: AI & Tech for Conservation & Natural Resources Management

• Shri Sumit Sabharwal, Director, A&S Creations
• Shri N. Jayaraj, Wildlife Warden, Hosur
• Dr. Gopala Areendran, Director, Tech for Conservation Coordinator, EIACP (MoEFCC), WWF-India
• Dr. Bilal Habib, Scientist, WII
• Moderator: Shri Ajay Suri, Senior Journalist and Wildlife Filmmaker

Session II: Role of Corporate in Forest Management

• Shri K. Ravi Chandran, IFS, Director, Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM)
• Shri Zubair Mohammed, Head of Sales & Marketing, Hamdard Laboratories
• Shri Anikethan C., Chief Naturalist, Jungle Lodges & Resorts, Bengaluru
• Moderator: Shri Manoj Singh, Senior Journalist

Session III: Sustainable Development & Environmental Ethics

• Dr. Madhu Verma, Environmental Economist & Wildlife Expert
• Shri Kunal Satyarthi, IFS, Joint Secretary, Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development
• Dr. Deepankar Ghosh, Senior Director, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
• Moderator: Shri Nishant Varma, IFS, Joint Secretary, Department of Science & Technology

Category-Wise Eco-Warrior Awards

Protected Area Management

• Dr. Prakash Chand Gogineni, Conservator of Forest I/c FD-cum-STR Baripada Circle
• Shri Manish Singh, Divisional Forest Officer, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Division, Pilibhit

Wildlife Protection & Conservation

• Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, DCF, Palampur Forest Division
• Shri Selvi. S. Senbagapriya, DCF (Genetics), Coimbatore

Environment Conservation

• Shri Dharm Singh Meena, Conservator of Forests, Bhagirathi Circle
• Shri Suman Shivashankar Sivachar W. M., Divisional Forest Officer, Wokha

Communities Connect

• Shri Gurharsh Singh, DCF, Rampur
• Shri Dhawan Kumar Rawat, DFO, Pakke Tiger Reserve

Best Use of Technology

• Shri Ramsundar M., Director, Rajgir Zoo Safari
• Shri N. Jayaraj, Wildlife Warden, Hosur

Special Jury Award

• Ms. Savita Dahiya, OO DCF, Barmer
• Ms. K. Karthikeyani, DFO, Thanjavur

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Shri Brij Kishore Singh, PCCF & HoFF (Karnataka 1976)

Awards to Special Projects

Project Great Indian Bustard

• Dr. Sutirtha Dutta, Scientist, WII
• Shri Ramesh K. Pandey, ADG WL, MoEFCC
• Shri K.C.A. Arun Prasad, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Rajasthan
• Shri Gobind Sagar Bharadwaj, Director, WII

Project Elephant

• Shri Ramesh K. Pandey, ADG WL, MoEFCC
• Shri Gobind Sagar Bharadwaj, Director, WII
• Dr. Parag Nigam, Scientist, WII
• Dr. Vaibhav C. Mathur, IGF, MoEFCC

A souvenir commemorating the occasion was also released during the programme.

The formal proceedings included a welcome address by IFSA President Ms. Anita Karn, followed by keynote addresses by Director General of Forests Dr. Sushil Kumar Awasthi and Shri Bharat Lal, former Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission. Hon'ble Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav also addressed the gathering and congratulated all the award winners on their achievements.

He appreciated the dedicated efforts of the entire frontline forestry staff and encouraged everyone to work with a shared mission to protect forests, conserve wildlife, preserve the environment and secure a sustainable future for generations to come. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Sharad Gupta, Editor, Indian Masterminds.

The Eco Warrior Awards 2026 once again provided a distinguished platform to celebrate Indian Forest Service officers, scientists and conservationists whose work continues to strengthen the country's commitment to protecting its forests, wildlife, ecosystems and communities.

⋙Third Eco-Warrior Award 2025 (3rd Edition)

The Third Eco-Warrior Awards ceremony was held on September 11, 2025, at the India International Centre, New Delhi, organized by Indian Masterminds in collaboration with the Indian Forest Service Association. The event coincided with National Forest Martyrs’ Day, acknowledging the forest protectors’ sacrifices.

It honored Indian Forest Service officers and initiatives that demonstrated excellence in environmental conservation across multiple categories.

Awards were given in categories such as:

• Forest Conservation
• Wildlife Conservation
• Wildlife Protection
• Best Use of Technology
• Community Engagement
• Innovative Initiatives
• Lifetime Achievement.
• Special recognitions included awards to IFS officers for wildlife and forest protection and innovative projects such as Project Cheetah and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.

A conclave featuring expert panels on topics like Eco-Tourism for the Future and Awakening Collective Environmental Consciousness enhanced discussions on sustainability and community roles.

Panel Sessions:

The event featured two major panel discussions as part of the Eco-Warrior Conclave:

Eco-Tourism for the Future

Panel Leader: Mr. Vidya Bhushan Kumar — focused on how responsible tourism can protect natural habitats and benefit local communities.

Awakening Environmental Consciousness

Panel Leader: Dr. Satendra Kumar Singh — centered on translating environmental awareness into collective action.

Key Speakers & Dignitaries

Distinguished participants and conclave contributors at the event:

The event also incorporated cultural and awareness elements such as wildlife photography exhibitions, reflecting the artistic dimension of conservation.

Main Award Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Dr. H.S. Singh, Former PCCF, Gujarat – Lifetime Achievement Award (2025)

Category-Wise Eco-Warrior Awards

• Wildlife Conservation Award - Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director, Kaziranga National Park

• Wildlife Protection Award - Mr. Parveen Kaswan, IFS, DFO, Jaldapara
• Forest Protection Award - Mr. Irfan Rasool Wani, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir

• Community Connect Award -Ms. K.M. Abharna, IFS, CASFOS
• Best Use of Technology Award Dr. S.K. Srivastava, IFS, Gujarat

 Innovative Initiatives Recognized

• Project Cheetah – Award accepted by Mr. Uttam Kumar Sharma, Kuno National Park (for cheetah conservation and community engagement)
• Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam – Award accepted by Mr. Sunil Chaudhary, PCCF, Uttar Pradesh (initiative focused on tree plantation/community involvement)

Special Mentions & Recognitions

• Corporate Contributors Honored: GAIL, Indian Oil, Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd., among others, recognized for support toward sustainability efforts.
• Mr. Mohd Aslam Warisi – honoured for outstanding wildlife photography and documentary work adding artistic visibility to environmental conservation.

 

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