Kaziranga Director Wins Global Award for Sustainable Conservation
Who received the award?
Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam.
She is the first Indian to receive the Kenton R. Miller Award for innovation in sustainability in national parks and protected areas.
About the Award
Name: Kenton R. Miller Award for Innovation in National Parks and Protected Area Sustainability
Conferred by: World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
Parent organization: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Purpose: Recognises individuals or groups who introduce innovative approaches to managing and conserving protected areas worldwide.
2025 Recipients:
Dr. Sonali Ghosh (India)
Roque Simón Sevilla Larrea (Ecuador)
Venue: Abu Dhabi, on October 10, 2025.
About WCPA and IUCN
WCPA: One of the six technical commissions under the IUCN.
Function: Works globally to enhance protected area management, policy, and capacity-building.
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature):
A global network focused on nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
Known for publishing the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Why Dr. Sonali Ghosh was awarded
Recognised for creating a “model of conservation rooted in community engagement” and traditional ecological knowledge.
Her model integrates:
Local community participation in protecting wildlife.
Awareness building and education on conservation.
Scientific management combined with traditional wisdom.
This sustainable model has been successful in Kaziranga and Manas landscapes of Assam.
About Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve
Location: Assam, India.
Established: 1905 (as a reserve forest), declared a National Park in 1974.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Since 1985.
Significance:
Famous for the One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).
Also houses tigers, elephants, wild buffaloes, and swamp deer — called “Big Five of Kaziranga”.
Ecological Importance:
Part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.
Critical wetland and floodplain ecosystem of the Brahmaputra River.
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Kenton R. Miller Award:
It is presented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
It recognises innovative approaches to the management and sustainability of protected areas.
The 2025 award was jointly given to India’s Sonali Ghosh and an environmentalist from Ecuador.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
✅ Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3
World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
Parent Body: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland
Established: 1960 (as Commission on National Parks); renamed WCPA in 1996
Members: ~2,500 across 140 countries
Overview
The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is one of the six commissions operating under the IUCN, serving as a global network of protected area managers and experts. It provides scientific and policy advice for effective management of national parks and other protected areas worldwide.
History
1948: IUCN established the Committee on National Parks to coordinate global conservation efforts.
1960: Elevated to a Commission on National Parks—responsible for creating a World List of National Parks.
1996: Renamed as the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) to reflect broader global conservation objectives beyond national parks.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – Six Expert Commissions
Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland
Founded: 1948
Purpose: To provide expert knowledge and policy guidance for the conservation of nature and sustainable use of natural resources.
The IUCN functions through six specialized commissions composed of thousands of scientists, policy experts, and practitioners worldwide. These commissions provide scientific advice, develop conservation standards, and assess the state of the world’s biodiversity.
1. Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)
Focus: Communication, learning, and knowledge management for conservation.
Key Functions:
Builds capacity in environmental education and public awareness.
Develops strategies for behavior change towards sustainability.
Strengthens communication between conservation organizations and the public.
2. Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)
Focus: Ecosystem-based approaches to managing natural and modified landscapes.
Key Functions:
Promotes integrated ecosystem management and restoration.
Advises on nature-based solutions to climate change and disaster risk reduction.
Supports implementation of the Ecosystem Approach under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
3. Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP)
Focus: Harmonization of conservation with social, economic, and justice concerns.
Key Functions:
Integrates livelihoods, human rights, and cultural dimensions into conservation.
Promotes equitable sharing of benefits from biodiversity.
Addresses issues like indigenous rights, sustainable livelihoods, and gender inclusion in conservation policies.
4. Species Survival Commission (SSC)
Focus: Conservation of species and biodiversity assessment.
Key Functions:
Manages the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Assesses extinction risks and develops recovery plans.
Coordinates global species-specific conservation programs (e.g., tigers, elephants, rhinos, marine mammals).
5. World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)
Focus: Development and promotion of environmental law for conservation and sustainable development.
Key Functions:
Drafts model environmental legislation and treaties.
Provides legal advice on biodiversity, climate, and water governance.
Supports enforcement mechanisms for environmental protection under international law.
6. World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
Focus: Policy and guidance for the establishment and effective management of protected areas.
Key Functions:
Develops frameworks for national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and community reserves.
Maintains the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA).
Advises on standards for protected area governance, including OECMs (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures).