Sanctuary Asia, supported by DSP Blackrock and Deutsche Bank, will present the 14th Sanctuary Wildlife Awards. The awards were constituted to recognise the best-in-the-field of wildlife conservation and to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who are defending the wildernesses and thus the food and water security of the Indian subcontinent. The awardees are nominated by Sanctuary Asia readers and supporters from across the country.

In addition to the Wildlife Service Awards, the Green Teacher Award and the prestigious Lifetime Service Award, the awards will also present three bright and young people with the Young Naturalist Awards. Other awards include a Special Tiger Award, a Wind Under the Wings Award and the Best Protected Area Award.

Speaking about the awards, Bittu Sahgal, Editor, Sanctuary Asia, said, “The Sanctuary Wildlife Awards celebrate the ordinary Indian, the quiet Indian. The one on whose shoulders this country really runs. In an ocean of dark daily news, these earth heroes who defend natural India as an article of faith, are nation builders, climate warriors, and conscience keepers. History will remember them well.”

Hemendra Kothari, Chairman, DSP Blackrock said, “From its inception, DSP BlackRock has supported Indian wildlife organisations and wildlife departments because this is in the financial and social self-interest of our country. Protecting India’s wildlife will ensure the nation’s water and food security. This can provide millions of jobs, help us counter climate change and enhance the fertility of our farmlands. I congratulate all the winners of the Sanctuary Wildlife Awards 2013 and wish them the very best as they carry on their good work.”

Ravneet Gill, CEO – India, Deutsche Bank, said: “We are committed to supporting sustainability and conservation in India through our biodiversity-climate programme GreenKarbon, together with Sanctuary Asia. We are proud of those being recognised as earth heroes today. They are our true conscience keepers and will inspire coming generations to build a more enlightened and sheltering planet.”

Source : Lokesh Shastri