Meet India’s Earth Warriors – Sanctuary/RBS Wildlife awards 2009

India’s nature has many champions. Often they go unheard of or unrecognized.

Fortunately, we have the Sanctuary/Royal Bank of Scotland (earlier ABN AMRO) Wildlife Awards who recognise people from all walks of life. 2009 was the tenth year this sterling award recognised Indians for their contribution to India’s nature and wildlife.

From the high-level executive who plays an important role in policy and resource allocation to the academics who have devoted their lives to India’s biodiversity to the oft-forgotten wildlife warden or forester to the young scientist burning to contribute his bit.  All these, and more, are honoured by the Sanctuary/RBS awards.

This year (2009) the 2009 Sanctuary/RBS Awards prizes went to :-

The Lifetime Service Award went to Brijendra Singh who has kept Corbett safe for over four decades!

The Wildlife Service awards went to Prabir Kumar Palei of Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Narhari Pandurang Bagrao who restored the damaged forests of Shahapur in Thane, Paresh Chandrakant Parob for his fierce commitment to the Goa forest lands under his control and his courage in the face of powerful vested interests, Drs Divya Mudappa and TR Shankar Raman for their exceptional contribution to saving the Western Ghats and Mike Pandey for his wonderful wildlife films which brought environment into the homes of the common Indian through DD.

The Young Naturalists award went to Prosper S Marak, Aamod Zambre and Vishal Bhave.

Prosper Marak has changed the face of Meghalaya's forests with his activism.

Aamod Zambre is a champion of scorpions.

Some of you may remember Aamod from my post on him and his friend Chintan Sheth. They are definitely living up to their promise and potential!

Vishal Bhave is doing path breaking studies of the sea slugs on our shores.

More power to these young naturalists of India!

Vijay Pinjarkar and the Nagpur Times of India won the Wind in the Wings Award for his brilliant investigative stories and his dogged pursuit of those who would violate the environmental and conservation laws of the land.

The Green Teacher awarsdwas won by Dr MR & Dr (Mrs) Sarah Almeida for nurturing, guiding and shaping young minds to explore and understand the mysterious world of plants.

Read more about them on the original post on the Sanctuary Asia website.

Carnival of butterflies!

Tiger,   Panther,   Peacock,   Puffin

Swift,   Albatross,   Tit,   Batwing

Pierrot,   Punchinello,   Punch and   Judy

Commodore,   Courtesan,   Camberwell Beauty

Wight,   Wizard,   Mormon,   Jester

Duffer,   Caliph,   Quaker,   Forester

Tinsel,   Onyx,   Circe,   Labyrinth

Argus,   Satyr,   Kaiser-e-hind

Redspot,   Redbreast,   Redbase,   Redeye

Oakleaf,   Acacia Blue,   Bushbrown,   Palmfly

Royal,   Imperial,   Rajah,   Emperor

Duchess,   Nawab,   Count,   Commander

Lancer,   Pioneer,  Sailer,   Lascar

Yeoman,   Soldier,   Sergeant-Major

Rustic,   Vagrant,   Constable,   Freak

Awlet,   Hopper,   Flitter,   Beak

Sawtooth,   Lacewing,   Swordtail

Monkey Puzzle,   Tortoiseshell and   Swallowtail

You must have guessed by now that these are all butterflies! All except two are Indian.  Can you guess which ones are not?

Click on the words to learn more about these butterflies.