In a monumental recognition of India’s conservation leadership, Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has become the first Indian to be awarded the prestigious WCPA–Kenton Miller Award for Innovation in National Parks and Protected Area Sustainability.

The honour was conferred by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) during the ongoing IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

The Kenton Miller Award, named after a pioneer of global conservation, recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional innovation and leadership in the sustainable management of protected ecosystems worldwide.

Dr. Ghosh was recognized for her transformative approach to protected area governance, particularly her work in Assam’s highly biodiverse landscapes, including Kaziranga and Manas National Park. Her model is rooted in:

• Community Engagement: Actively affirming the vital rights and roles of Indigenous and local communities.
• Integrated Knowledge: Seamlessly combining traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific expertise for habitat and wildlife monitoring.
• Sustainable Livelihoods: Promoting eco-friendly tourism models that generate income while safeguarding the environment.

The IUCN citation highlighted that her work has redefined conservation practice by confronting the colonial legacy of protected area management, leading to strengthened community participation and enhanced biodiversity protection.

Dr. Ghosh, who made history in 2023 as the first woman Field Director of the 118-year-old Kaziranga National Park, expressed gratitude for the global spotlight on India’s evolving model of conservation.

Her win underscores India’s growing stature in biodiversity protection on the global stage, validating the efforts of forest officers, scientists, and local communities who work tirelessly to safeguard the country’s natural heritage.

The award ceremony, attended by environmental leaders from over 160 countries, celebrated Dr. Ghosh’s initiatives for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is home to the world’s largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros.