Guwhati, May 15, 2025, Virthli (ONP): Aaranyak, a prominent biodiversity conservation organization based in Guwahati, India, has been awarded the prestigious 'Mark Shand Award' by the UK-based conservation charity, Elephant Family. The award, presented during a ceremony in London, recognizes Aaranyak's significant contributions to wildlife conservation and fostering human-elephant coexistence in Northeast India.
Dr. Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, a senior scientist and head of Aaranyak's Elephant Research and Conservation Division, accepted the esteemed award from Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla. Dr. Lahkar has dedicated over two decades to the conservation of Asian elephants and their vital grassland habitats in Assam.
The Mark Shand Award is named in honor of Elephant Family's late founder and celebrates individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional dedication to wildlife preservation and promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Aaranyak's impactful initiatives have included the implementation of solar-powered fences as a measure to mitigate human-elephant conflicts, the promotion of community-led conservation strategies, and conducting crucial research into elephant habitats and behavior. These concerted efforts have played a vital role in reducing instances of conflict and fostering sustainable coexistence between local communities and wildlife in the region.
Dr. Lahkar's extensive work in conservation has garnered previous accolades, including the IUCN World Heritage Hero Award in 2016, which recognized his significant contributions to the conservation of Manas National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
ALSO READ: Assam Welcomes Over 4 Lakh Tourists to National Parks in 2023–24
This recognition by Elephant Family underscores the international significance of Aaranyak's conservation endeavors and highlights the indispensable role of community engagement in the successful preservation of biodiversity.
