Jumbo awards for conserving wildlife

BANGALORE: Minister for Forests C P Yogeshwar on Friday assured that there would be a state sponsored award function from next year to recognise the achievements of many forest department offi
Anil Kumble’s mother Saroja Devi presenting Lifetime Achivement award to  environmentalist Ullas Karanth at a function in Bangalore on Friday. EPS
Anil Kumble’s mother Saroja Devi presenting Lifetime Achivement award to environmentalist Ullas Karanth at a function in Bangalore on Friday. EPS

BANGALORE: Minister for Forests C P Yogeshwar on Friday assured that there would be a state sponsored award function from next year to recognise the achievements of many forest department officials and NGOs who have contributed to the conservation of forests in Karnataka.

 He was speaking at the Jumbo Wildlife Awards organised by the Kumble Foundation in association with Biocon Foundation in the city on Friday.

The Jumbo awards recognised the contribution of wild life officials and conservationists in five categories namely Sarvotthama Aranya Palaka (Foot Soldier Of Karnataka), Best Range Forest Officer, Outstanding Civil Servant, Exceptional Applied Conservation Scientist and Wildlife Leadership Award. All awards carried a cash prize of `1 lakh alongwith a citation and trophy.

“The future aims of the foundation are to provide a fund of 1 lakh rupees to families of watchers and other staff alongwith a training programme in South Africa for a period of  two weeks to Range Forest Officers (RFO),” said Anil Kumble. In its second year, the nominations of the award restricted to contributions from  across the state.

 Posthumous nominations were also accepted.

“The criteria for selections were many, like detection of offenses, arrests and consistent work. The decisions of all the judges were unanimous,” said Chiranjiv Singh, Former IAS Officer and Jury Member.

Speaking at the ceremony, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) BK Singh highlighted that population growth was the main reason behind man- animal conflicts.

“Elephants from BRT used to frequent places like Tiptur or Arsikere, now with six lane highways blocking their way, they find it difficult to come back,” he said. 

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