Sonali Ghosh Receives International Conservation Award: Becomes India’s First Female Recipient

Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has achieved a historic milestone.
She was awarded the Kenton R. Miller Award for innovation in the sustainability of national parks and protected areas.
The honor was conferred upon her on 10 October 2025 at a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi.
She is the first person and first woman from India to receive this prestigious award.

Kenton R. Miller Award: Recognizing Global Conservation Innovation

The Kenton R. Miller Award is presented every two years by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), the technical arm of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
It was established in 2006.
The award recognizes individuals or teams who have made remarkable innovations and contributions in the planning, management, finance, governance, monitoring, capacity building, and communication of protected areas.
Named in memory of Kenton R. Miller, former Director General of IUCN, the award acknowledges efforts that effectively address challenges like wildlife trafficking, climate change, invasive species, and financial constraints.

According to a statement issued by IUCN, Dr. Sonali Ghosh was honored for her community-based conservation model.
This model emphasizes local community participation, public awareness, and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific methods.
Her initiative has been highly successful in biodiversity-rich areas like Kaziranga and Manas, achieving a balance between conservation and local development.

This year, Dr. Ghosh shared the award with Rock Simon Sevilla Lareya of Ecuador, who has excelled in tourism, insurance, and environmental sustainability.
Previously, the award has been given to conservationists from Lebanon, Mexico, and Indonesia for their innovative efforts.

Dr. Sonali Ghosh is the first woman from India to receive the Kenton R. Miller Award.
The award is presented every two years by IUCN-WCPA.
WCPA is one of six technical commissions of IUCN, focusing on the management and policy of protected areas.
Kaziranga National Park is famous not only for the one-horned rhinoceros but also for its insects, spiders, and other micro-biodiversity.