A noted Indian wildlife biologist has won the Whitley Award; considered the 'Green Oscar', in recognition of his work to reduce human-wildlife conflict in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. Dr M D Madhusudan, Director of Nature Conservation Foundation a young NGO that has grown quickly to become one of the most respected in India received a trophy and a cash prize of 30,000 pounds from Princess Anne at a glittering ceremony held at the. Royal Geographical Society here on Wednesday night. Two other Indian conservationists received Associate Awards. Sudipto Chatterjee received 10,000 pounds to develop an action plan to conserve wild rhododendrons in the Eastern Hi malayas while Supraja Dharini received an equal amount for a community-based initiative to protect sea turtles and dolphins in Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu. Madhusudhan is a science graduate from the Yuvaraja College, Mysore and obtained a Master's from the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehra Dun. Madhusudhan and his team tries to combine science with practical conservation action to resolve conflict between the wild animals and the local communities. At grassroots level, he is working with farmers around the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on a pilot community-based conflict mitigation project. Edward Whitley; founder of Whitley Fund for Nature and judging panel chairman, praised the award winners saying, the aim of the Whitley awards is to find and support conservation scientists whose vision, passion, determination and qualities of leadership mean they are able to inspire local communities to take positive conservation action of benefit both to wildlife and people's lives
The Hindu, 15th May 2009
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