P Dhanesh Kumar, divisional Forest officer (DFO) South Wayanad Forest Division and Badusha, environmentalist from Wayanad district, received the Sanctuary Wildlife Awards 2012, instituted by Sanctuary Asia, a wildlife conservation magazine at a function held in Mumbai on Friday.
The award consists of Rs 40,000 and a citation. They were selected for the award considering their commitment towards protection of the wilderness areas.
Each year the award is given to honour those who work selflessly to protect the natural heritage. They won the award for their extraordinary dedication and determination shown in wildlife and nature conservation in Kerala over the past several years. Anyone who is in the service of wildlife protection, from forest employees to researchers, even villagers and almost anyone currently involved with nature conservation who has set a high personal standard for others to follow were considered for the award.