Why in news? At the 2025 World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presented its prestigious World Commission on Protected Areas Kenton Miller Award. For the first time, an Indian conservationist – Dr Sonali Ghosh – received the honour in recognition of her innovative leadership at Kaziranga National Park.
Background
The Kenton Miller Award commemorates Dr Kenton R. Miller, a former IUCN director who championed sustainable management of protected areas. Since 1999, the award has celebrated individuals who devise creative solutions for conserving national parks, marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries while improving the well‑being of local communities. Past recipients include Mexican marine biologists and African park managers who pioneered community‑led conservation.
About Dr Sonali Ghosh
Dr Sonali Ghosh grew up in an Army family and developed a deep love for nature during treks across India. After studying forestry and wildlife science at the Wildlife Institute of India, she joined the Indian Forest Service in 2000. She has worked at Manas and Kaziranga National Parks, served as deputy director of Orang National Park and earned diplomas in environmental law and systems management to strengthen her scientific and legal expertise.
In 2023 she became the first woman field director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Her tenure has emphasised scientific monitoring, anti‑poaching patrols, rehabilitation of injured animals and the revival of the park’s veterinary wing. She has also prioritised community‑centric eco‑tourism, providing livelihoods for local Karbi and Mising communities, and improved waste management to reduce pollution in sensitive grasslands.
Key points
- First Indian winner: Dr Ghosh’s recognition signals global appreciation for India’s protected‑area professionals and highlights the country’s growing leadership in conservation.
- Community engagement: Her initiatives involve local people in decisions about tourism, fishing and grazing, thereby reducing conflict and fostering stewardship.
- Strengthening science: Under her leadership Kaziranga has increased camera‑trap monitoring, improved veterinary care and adopted drones for surveillance, enhancing both habitat protection and species recovery.
- Inspirational figure: As a woman leading a flagship tiger reserve, she inspires young forest officers and demonstrates that inclusive conservation can be both socially and environmentally transformative.
Why it matters
Recognising an Indian officer on a global platform underscores the value of combining scientific management with community participation. It encourages investment in conservation, eco‑tourism and climate‑resilient protected‑area management and sets a benchmark for other wildlife reserves in India and beyond.
Source: Telegraph India.