A Green Oscar In India's Kitty

After, music maestro, AR Rahman's Oscar, Dr. M.D Madhusadan, an Indian Conservationist has made India proud by winning the Green Oscar for India. Dr. Madhusadan, Director of Nature Conservation Foundation- a Karnataka based NGO, is a renowned Indian Wildlife biologist. Recently, he was awarded the prestigious Whitley Award by the Princess Anne at an outstanding ceremony held at the Royal Geographical Society on 13th May.

He has received the Whitley Award, considered as the “Green Oscar” as a symbol of recognition for his contribution to reduce human and wildlife conflict in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. He has received a trophy and an amount of 30,000 pounds.

Dr. Madhusudhan has completed graduation in Science stream from the Yuvaraja College, Mysore and Master's from the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehra Dun. At present, he is working with the farmers living in the nearby villages of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on a pilot community-based conflict mitigation project. He and his team members main aim is to combine science with the practical conservation action. So, that they can solve and avoid any further conflicting situation between the wild animals and the local communities.

Along with Dr. Madhusadan, Sudipto Chatterjee and Supraja Dharini, two other noted Indian conservationists has also received Associate awards. Dr. Chatterjee and Dharani had received a cash prize of 10,000 pounds for their contribution to the conservation of rare wildlife species of India. Dr. Chatterjee has developed an action plan to conserve wild rhododendrons in the Eastern Himalayas whereas Dharini has started a community based initiative to protect Sea turtles and Dolphins in Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu.