KHOSHOO MEMORIAL AWARD AND LECTURE

The Khoshoo Memorial Award in Conservation is given to a young individual in the filed of Conservation and Sustainable Development. The award consists of a citation and a cash prize. Above all, the award is a peer-level public recognition of excellence in the field, and serves to encourage even greater achievement.

A Scholar of international standing delivers the Khoshoo Memorial Lecture after the award ceremonies.

As the first Secretary for the Department of Environment in the Government of India, Dr. Triloki Nath Khoshoo was responsible for developing India's Environment Policy. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Sasakawa Environment Prize by the United Nations in 1996.

The Khoshoo Memorial Award is an annual event sponsored by his family and friends, ATREE, the Ford Foundation and the Institute of Rural Research and Development (an initiative of the S.M Sehgal Foundation).

The late Dr. Khoshoo was a Founding Trustee of ATREE.

T.N.Khoshoo Memorial Award for the Year 2008

News Article's

• Rebecca Pradhan bags T. N. Khoshoo memorial award, Hindu, March 25^th 2008
• Rebecca Pradhan bags T. N. Khoshoo memorial award, Deccan Herald, March 25^th 2008
• Award for conservation to be given away, Hindu, March 23^rd 2008
• Green Evolution By R. Guha - Guest Lecture at T.N.Khoshoo Memorial Award, Hindustan Times

Dr. Triloki Nath Khoshoo
(27 April 1927-10 June 2002)

Dr. Triloki Nath Khoshoo was a world-renowned environment scientist and an able administrator. Dr. Khoshoo started his professional career as the co-founder of the truncated Department of Botany at the Punjab University, Lahore, which moved to Khalsa College, Amritsar, soon after the partition of India. After a brief stint as Chairman of the Botany Department at Jammu and Kashmir University, he joined the National Botanical Gardens, Lucknow, in 1964 as Assistant Director. He soon became the Director, and due to his untiring efforts, the institution rose to the stature of being the National Botanical Research Institute in 1978.

In 1982, he was appointed as the Secretary of the newly created Department of Environment of the Government of India with the responsibility of developing an Environment Policy for the country. In 1985, he joined the Tata Energy Research Institute as a Distinguished Fellow and contributed to public policy discussions at national as well as international forums.

Dr. Khoshoo was a prolific writer. Over the course of five decades, he authored more than 250 research papers on plant genetics and evolution, biomass, energy, forestry, conservation and, the utilisation and management of natural resources. He has written seven books and edited eleven more on a wide range of subjects. His book 'Mahatma Gandhi: An Apostle of Applied Human Ecology' published in 1996 was widely applauded for his interpretation of the practical relevance of Gandhian views. In 1992, he was decorated with one of India's highest civilian awards, the 'Padma Bhushan'. He was awarded the Sasakawa Environmental Prize by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1996.

The Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation www.fordfound.org is a private, non-profit, philanthropic organisation dedicated to international peace and the advancement of human welfare. Founded in 1930, it seeks to identify and contribute to the solution of problems of national and international importance. The Foundation works primarily by providing support for applied research, training, experimentation, advocacy and developmental efforts that are innovative and promise significant advances in its fields of interest. The New Delhi office was established in 1952. It was the Foundation's first programme outside the United States of America, and remains the largest of its overseas field operations. Through this office, the Foundation serves Nepal, Sri Lanka as well as other neighbouring countries in the South Asia region.

Institute of Rural Research and Development (An initiative of S. M. Sehgal Foundation)

The Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD), an initiative of S. M. Sehgal Foundation www.smsfoundation.org It supports programmes designed to promote rural development and poverty reduction. IRRAD addresses issues involving the social, economic as well as the ecological well being of village communities through capacity building, research, and policy, advocacy and governance. All work is carried out under the umbrella of the Sehgal Family Foundation, based in Iowa, United States of America, which in turn works through S.M. Sehgal Foundation, Gurgaon, India.

Recipient of the T.N. Khoshoo Memorial Award, 2008
Rebecca Pradhan

A repository of knowledge on the flora and fauna found throughout the Himalayas, Rebecca Pradhan, can easily recount the genus and species of over 90% of Bhutan's plant life off the top of her head. Rebecca is a true naturalist, working and writing about birds as easily as about plants. While her academic qualifications include a B.Sc and a post graduation in Library Science, whatever she has learnt about plants and animals has been through a process of self-education. Impressed by her knowledge, Rebecca was invited to spend two terms as a Mercer Fellow of Arnold Arboretum in Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. With her vast botanical knowledge, innate skill and passion, Rebecca has already impacted conservation efforts in Bhutan.

Originally from Kalimpong in India, Rebecca, has been living and working in Bhutan for many years. Starting her career as a school teacher in 1972, Rebecca moved on as the Head of the Herbarium and Forestry Research Library, Department of Forestry, Royal Government of Bhutan in 1985. Since 2000 she has worked as an Ecologist with the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), Bhutan, where she is at present involved with the White-bellied Heron Project and in conducting biodiversity surveys of RSPN conservation areas. Over the years, Rebecca, has also been closely involved in a number of surveys to study and document the flora and fauna of Bhutan.

Rebecca has written extensively about the extraordinary biological richness of the north-eastern Himalayas, and particularly Bhutan, a region of which our knowledge is very meagre. She is the author of the books 'Wild Rhododendrons of Bhutan' and 'Threatened Birds in Bhutan'. She is also the principal compiler and data contributor of the Important Bird Areas of Bhutan for the Birdlife Conservation Series 'Important Bird Areas in Asia.' She has also produced a DVD on the ecology of the white-bellied heron. Rebecca has done much more than her written papers would indicate; for example she has discovered new species of bamboos, oaks and other plant groups. In her work she is involved with wildlife officials, community members and non-governmental organisations, and also teaches school children about wildlife in her spare time.

Rebecca's immense knowledge of the biota and ecosystems of the eastern Himalayas is vital to the future of Bhutan's resources. And she herself is committed to advancing further the knowledge about and the conservation of the pristine forests of Bhutan.

Recipient of the T.N. Khoshoo Memorial Award, 2007
Dr. B.R. Ramesh

A scientist and conservationist, Dr. B.R. Ramesh has contributed greatly to the application of new technologies for effective conservation. He completed his M.Sc. Botany at Bangalore University before doing a Ph.D. in Ecology at University of Madras. A taxonomist by training he has been working at the French Institute of Pondicherry (an autonomous Research Organization under the Ministry of French Foreign Affairs) since 1982. He is currently the Director of Research in the Ecology Department. His research interests include phytogeography, landscape ecology, community ecology, conservation biology, and forest management. He continues to actively train the younger generation and forest officials in field ecology and taxonomy.

Most of his work has been carried out in the Western Ghats, which is considered a biodiversity hotspot. He has published over 25 research papers, 6 books, 2 CD ROMS, 7 vegetation maps and 1 atlas. His vegetation maps of the Western Ghats and Atlas of Endemic tree species have become classic baseline reference materials for foresters, ecologists and conservationists. He has studied the plant diversity across different ecosystems to develop biological indicator values for measuring disturbance in ecosystems. Using Geographical Information Systems he has developed wildlife management models for a Tiger Reserve and for several Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. His studies have shown that despite large-scale disturbance, considerable amount of undisturbed forest areas exist in Kerala and these forest patches need management attention. As an expert consultant to Kerala Forest Department, he reviewed biodiversity components of Kerala Forestry Project, developed 'biodiversity conservation strategy and action plans' for the forestry sector as well as rationalized the existing protected area network in order to cover the substantial gaps in conservation. Going one step further, he developed an alternative model of integrated forest management using a landscape approach that would address not only biodiversity conservation but also socio-economic issues of local communities and other stakeholders.

[Dr. B. R. Ramesh continues as the Director of Research, Department of Ecology at the French Institute of Pondicherry. The book Forest landscapes of the Southern Western Ghats, India: Biodiversity, human ecology and management strategies edited by him along with Rajan Gurukkal was released in 2007.]

Recipient of the T.N. Khoshoo Memorial Award, 2006
Dr. Anupam Mishra

A Gandhian and an environmental activist Anupam Mishra has spent decades in the field of environment protection and water conservation and is among the most knowledgeable persons in India on traditional water harvesting systems. He has travelled to various part of the country, especially Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, visiting various water harvesting systems managed by people.

Dr. Mishra has interacted with grassroots-level water harvesters, inspired and supported them and helped them in their traditional water harvesting systems campaign. Winner of the Indira Gandhi National Environment Award, Mishra has been associated with the Gandhi Peace Foundation since its inception. He has authored two books on traditional water management and water harvesting systems in India, titled Aaj Bhi Khare Hain Talaab (Ponds are Still Relevant) and Rajasthan Ki Rajat Boonde (The Radiant Raindrops of Rajasthan).

Dr. Mishra continues to travel to different parts of the country, while keeping in touch with grassroot-level water harvesters and NGOs and inspiring them. The mission of the Gandhi Peace Foundation is to promote the environmental activities of rural development agencies; to prepare survey reports on distressed areas and place them before concerned authorities; to disseminate environmental information through the publication of up-to-date reports on environmental issues; to organise workshops and seminars for environmental experts, policy makers, individuals and organizations engaged in environmental issues.

[Dr. Anupam Mishra continues his association with the Gandhi Peace Foundation working in the field of environment protection and water conservation.]

Recipient of the T.N. Khoshoo Memorial Award, 2005
Ms Nafisa Barot

Ms. Nafisa Barot has been championing the efforts of local communities to achieve self-reliance in natural resources in the Bhal region of Gujarat. She is the founder trustee of Utthan, an organization dedicated to the upliftment and empowerment of impoverished local communities, especially women. Nafisaben as she is popularly known, has been involved in a number of water management activities in the region such as drought proofing, rain-water harvesting and desilting. Other activities carried out by Utthan in Gujarat include women's credit groups, community health programs, afforestation and education. Ms. Barot represents Utthan on several national and international committees. She is a strong believer in the empowerment of vulnerable sections of the society through socio-economic and cultural development based on the principles of sustainable resource use and conservation.

[Ms. Nafisa Barot continues her work on social and environmental issues. She also continues as Executive Director of Utthan an organisation she co-founded that works in the areas of gender empowerment, integrated natural resource management, and peace and justice through conflict transformation.]

Dr. Anil P. Joshi

Dr. Anil P. Joshi works to promote sustainable livelihoods in the Himalaya. He started his career as a college teacher in Botany and encouraged many of his students to carry out academic research oriented towards solving the basic needs of the hill people. He has been instrumental in developing participatory approaches to natural resource conservation and is credited with developing a variety of ingenious schemes related to water supply, cheap lighting, traditional agriculture, employment generation, earthquake resistant housing and alternative uses of weeds such as lantana. Dr. Joshi and his colleagues formed the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO), which aims to reconcile basic needs of rural communities with the need to conserve natural resources. Dr. Joshi is the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of his pioneering contributions towards sustainable living in the Himalayan region.

[Dr. Anil P. Joshi continues his work with the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization that he co-founded. He was awarded the 'Padma Shri' in 2006 in recognition of his pioneering contribution towards sustainable living in the Himalayan region.]

Recipient of the T.N. Khoshoo Memorial Award, 2004
Dr. R. Sukumar

Dr. R Sukumar is a Professor at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India. He is one of the world leaders in the efforts to conserve the elephants especially the Asian elephant.

Since 1997, he has been the Chair of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group of IUCN-The World Conservation Union. He has published three books and over 70 scientific articles. He is the winner of the Presidential Award of the Chicago Zoological Society in 1989 and was honoured with the Order of the Golden Ark, by the Government of Netherlands in 1997 for his outstanding contribution to Elephant conservation. His approach has been in using the elephant as a flagship for conserving landscapes, their biodiversity, and reconciling human interests with conservation. Most recently he was the recipient of the Whitley Gold Award for International Nature Conservation (2003).

[Dr. R. Sukumar continues as Professor at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science. At present research in his lab spans the areas of wildlife ecology, tropical forest ecology and climate change. He is a recipient of the International Cosmos Prize in 2006.]

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