A fearless woman who has gone undercover to take on poachers, a cowherd who reforested an island, a boy who helped a tiger landscape come to life and forest officers who survived murderous attacks to protect the tiger – these are just some of the inspiring people being honoured at the Sanctuary Wildlife Awards 2012, supported by DSP BlackRock and Deutsche Bank.

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.

Speaking about the awards, Hemendra Kothari, Chairman, DSP BlackRock said: “DSP BlackRock and I, in my personal capacity, are committed to protecting the tiger, its forests and our wildlife. Through the Wildlife Conservation Trust, we now extend support to over 82 national parks and sanctuaries in 15 states across India. Our purpose is to supplement, not replace our government’s wildlife programmes. As a banker, I know the value of assets and in my view, with climate change a reality now, India’s rivers, forests, and lakes are the most valuable assets we have. This is why I intend to step up our support for all those who work for wildlife, including our frontline forest staff across India; and the people living around forests, for their health, education and vocational training.”

Ravneet Gill, CEO, Deutsche Bank, India said: “Recognising that climate change is a reality, we at Deutsche Bank are working towards ensuring that our own bank operations are zero-carbon globally by the end of 2013. We have launched a biodiversity-climate programme called GreenKarbon in India, together with Sanctuary Asia, to share our climate change purpose and strategy with the public. We congratulate the winners today; we share their belief that the world will have to change in the days ahead and, with our 10,000-strong employee base, we intend to be at the forefront of such positive change.”

Bittu Sahgal, Editor, Sanctuary Asia added: “There was a time when wildlife and nature conservation was considered an esoteric involvement of a handful of well-meaning people. No longer. In an era of climate change, it is now a survival strategy to adapt to and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Natural India is the foundation on which our economic edifice sits. Protecting biodiversity is not an option; it’s a life-saving imperative.”