Awards for protection and conservation of bio-resources

In an attempt to encourage and bring to the light some outstanding  but  silent efforts put by  certain individuals and  groups towards protection and conservation of bio-resources of the Northeast India, The Balipara Tract and Frontier Foundation in collaboration with Aaranyak and Sanctuary Asia Magazine
has instituted Balipara Foundation Awards.

 The Northeast represents the eco transition zone between the Indian, Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese bio-geographic regions and hence the geographical ‘gateway’ for ecological units. It is in this transition zone that the highest diversity of biomes or ecological communities can be found with species diversity.

The Awards will highlight the importance of keeping the sanctity of the nature reserves in the region which becomes critical considering the Northeast being among the 34 biodiversity hot spots on the globe world but now under serious threat.

There would be many categories of awards to honour individuals and groups across diverse occupation such as scientists, village dwellers, lawyers, teachers, students and organizations.  The award categories include Naturenomics Award, Green Guru Award, Green Legal Award, Ecological Restoration Award, Eastern Himalayan Conservation Award, and Food for the Future Award, Nature Conservancy Award, Young Naturalist Award, Annual Balipara Foundation Award and Lifetime Service Award.

All are to be honoured in a common platform - the protection of and continuity of nature. The awards ceremony will be held at Pragjyotish ITA Centre, Machkhowa, Guwahati on April 12.

Through these awards the Balipara Foundation and Aranyak together with Sanctuary Asia  Magazine salute these eco warriors who have been fighting to save our virgin forests, bountiful rivers and pristine lakes  through various means and tools thereby delivering hopes and sometimes positive and tangible changes to affirm on us that we can indeed retain our beautiful blue planet as it was made to be.

The outline of the various Awards and their respective recipients are as follows:

• The Green Protector Award: For an enforcement agency working and contributing in checking wildlife crime.
• The Life Time Achievement award: For a person who has contributed immensely in the field of conservation in Assam and NE India.
• Green Teacher Award: For immense contribution made by a teacher in the field of conservation and bringing out future blood by building the capacity of students.
• Conservation Inspiration Award: For a community who made significant contribution towards promotion of nature
• Enviro-legal Award: For advocate or a person who has used legal tools to enhance protection of wildlife and forests in Assam and NE India.
• Conservation Promise Award: For students and youth who just started contribution in the field of conservation.
• Green Brigade Award: For an NGO making significant contribution to generate conservation awareness.
• Food for Future Award: For a community making significant contribution in promoting ethnic and organic food.
• Green Globe Award: For people making significant contribution in forest restoration and plantation to strengthen biodiversity unearthing alternative source of fuel and firewood.
• Conservation Initiative Award: For successful project implemented showing positive and lesson learning output.