Instituted in 2000, the David Shepherd Wildlife Award is for overall excellence in wildlife conservation, for saving endangered species or habitats. It bears the name of the famous British wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd, whose wildlife foundation sponsors the award, which carries a cash prize, a certificate and a statuette.
1999
Soumen Biswas
The late Soumen Biswas from Siliguri gave up his life fighting for the cause of wildlife. In his lifetime, he rescued several wild animals which had strayed into human habitation and after treating them, released them back in the forest. His rescue work was also directed to abandoned and terminally ill dogs which were given food and shelter. He devoted the last few years of his life to combating illegal wildlife trade. He was murdered in his office by some criminals without any apparent reason in 1997.
2000
Snehal Bhatt
Snehal Bhatt has rescued several domestic and wild animals including crocodiles, snakes and monkeys, in and around Baroda. A postgraduate in social work, Bhatt set up the Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She played a key role in rescuing injured animals during the earthquake in Gujarat in 1999.
2001
Pradeep Kumar Nath
Pradeep Kumar Nath has displayed great tenacity and fearlessness in his fight for animal life on the eastern coasts of Andhra Pradesh. He has fought courageously for the past five years to protect Olive Ridley turtles and their nests by preventing poaching and conserving their habitat on the Andhra Pradesh coast. He has taken his fight even to the government, against the use of turtle nesting beaches for construction purposes. He has also contributed to animal welfare in and around Vishakhapatnam through his campaign to stop animal sacrifices and illegal slaughter. His actions have helped save more than 800 turtle nests and over 80,000 hatchlings.
2002
Saleem Hamid
Saleem Hamid, an industrial photographer in Bangalore, is passionate about saving wildlife and giving sick and injured animals a second chance to live. He is a self-taught veterinarian practitioner and takes meticulous care of each animal that he handles. Despite his hectic schedule, he has set up a wildlife rehabilitation centre which he runs himself. He has specialized in working with confiscated reptiles and the management of traumatised and immuno-suppressed reptiles. In spite of being bitten twice by cobras, he continues in his wildlife rehabilitation efforts. His commendable work has made him a front runner in wildlife management and care in Bangalore.
2003
Subrat Mukherjee
West Bengal Conservator of Forests, Subrat Mukherjee has devoted himself to the protection and conservation of wildlife for more than 15 years. He has served as the Deputy Field Director, Sundarban Tiger Reserve, and built an effective intelligence network in the state which has resulted in major seizures of wildlife articles and the arrest of almost 170 persons. His efforts in habitat improvement by grassland management in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary have been widely commended.
2004
C.P. Durge Gowda
C.P. Durge Gowda, who is currently a Range Forest Officer with the Forest Department of Karnataka, has shown exemplary courage and devotion to duty in carrying out his task for the last 15 years. He has, along with his colleagues, courageously fought gangs of poachers and smugglers, and has been wounded a number of times in the line of duty. Mr. Gowda has also helped to spread awareness among the public and students by conducting nature camps. Trained in wildlife management, he has been able to utilise his knowledge in giving exemplary protection to the areas that he has been posted in.
2005
Dr. Divakar Sharma
Ayurvedic practitioner, astrologer, linguist, wildlife lover, honorary wildlife warden, winner of international awards, it is difficult to pin down Dr Sharma in any one persona.
With a deep and abiding interest in conservation, Dr Sharma has devoted more than 25 years to working closely with enforcement authorities, using his knowledge of traditional healing systems to track the powerful mafia involved in the illegal trade of wild flora and fauna. His tireless efforts have helped reduce the pressure on many rare and endangered species.
|
