The Hindu Business Line : ABN Amro salutes `earth heroes'

Another proposal is to focus on the protection of the dispersed areas and corridors around the sanctuary. Dispersing of the lions is happening due to the increase in the number of cattle, which enter the sanctuary for grazing.

Dr A.J.T. Johnsingh, winner of the Sanctuary ABN Amro lifetime service award.

Mumbai , Dec. 9

"WE need to act now to save the wealth of our country, our wildlife."

This was the message given by the winners of the Sanctuary ABN Amro Wildlife Awards. While some have dedicated their lives to the cause, others from different fields such as a schoolteacher, a CBI officer and a school student are also trying to do their bit.

The awards encourage `earth heroes' for their work under categories such as Lifetime Service Award, Wildlife Service Award, Green Teacher Award, Young Naturalist Award and Wildlife Photographer Award.

This year a new category was introduced called `Wind Under the Wings Award', which recognises an Indian organisation that has supported an individual to make a difference. Indian Express won the award for its reports on the death of tigers in Sariska and other reserves

The Lifetime Service Award went to Dr A.J.T. Johnsingh from Tamil Nadu. He has done his doctoral thesis on dholes, the wild dogs of Indian jungles and has trained over 300 wildlife managers.

Among the winners of the Wildlife Service Award are Mr Chander Singh Negi known as Jolly Uncle. He retired as deputy ranger from the Corbett National Park and works with the Corbett Foundation. Other winners include Mr K. Manu, who works for the protection of pelicans in Kokkare Bellur and the entire Gir rescue team for safeguarding lions and other animals at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.

At the press conference, Mr Bittu Sahgal of Sanctuary magazine said the Gir Sanctuary has over 300 lions, but there is a fear that if they are affected by a feline disease they could all be wiped out. Efforts are on to find a second home for the lions.

Ms Belinda Wright, founder and Executive Director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, was also honoured for her work in securing the tiger its habitat. Ms Wright said one of the reasons for the decline in the tiger population in India is poaching and smuggling the tiger skins to Tibet.

"There is a rise in the number of tiger skins from India going in illegal trade to Tibet, where it is suddenly in demand as a fashion item," she said.

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