Advertisement
Bengaluru/Chikkamagaluru: NatWest Group India, (formerly RBS India) the global capability centre of the NatWest Group, today announced the winners of the 11th edition of the NatWest Group Earth Heroes Awards. Ms. Shilpa SL, a Range Forest Officer in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, won the award under the “Green Warrior” category for her dedicated work towards leopard conservation. Celebrating efforts in “Biodiversity A resilient nature is the foundation on which all climate mitigation and adaptation efforts must be raised”, theme for the 2021 awards, the eight winners were felicitated via a virtual ceremony that was graced by the Chief Guest, Ms. Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General, Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), UN.
The annual awards are a national initiative that recognises efforts of individuals and institutions across India who are working tirelessly to subvert climate change by conserving and preserving the rich biodiversity of the country for a better relationship between the society and nature.
Passionate, dedicated, and fearless, Ms. Shilpa is the first woman officer ever to be posted in the biggest range in Chikkamagaluru. She is a 2020 Chief Minister’s Medal winner, awarded by the Government of Karnataka for her relentless efforts in saving wildlife.
Related Articles
Advertisement
Elated by this achievement, Ms. Shilpa SL said, “I am happy to be recognised as a ‘Green Warrior’ and thank the NatWest Group, NatWest India Foundation, directors, and jury members for this honor. Forest and wildlife protection demands commitment and hard work. I would like to thank my senior officers and colleagues at the Karnataka Forest Department, the media, public and NGOs, particularly WildCAT-C, for their support. Awards like these make you feel appreciated and motivated to keep going.”
On the occasion, the honourable Chief Guest, Ms. Ivonne Higuero, said, “I am delighted to be a part of NatWest Group India’s initiative and to present the awards to all the winners for their dedication and hardwork to advance biodiversity protection in the country. As we continue to fight challenges posed by the global pandemic, it is important to remember the individuals and institutions that continue to strive in order to secure a future for wildlife and communities they support.”
Speaking on the occasion, N Sunil Kumar, Head of Sustainable Banking India & Head of NatWest India Foundation, said, “The recent report from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), ‘Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis’ which signalled irreversible impacts of climate crisis, is a worrying sign for all the policy makers in the world. The world, and India in particular, needs to step up efforts when it comes to mitigating global warming and climate risks. It has become imperative for us to protect nature, heritage, and the wildlife ecosystem around us in order to bring a positive change. The Earth Heroes Awards are a way to celebrate, recognise, and further inspire and motivate the leaders of tomorrow for their outstanding work in preserving India’s biodiversity and critical natural ecosystems. I wholeheartedly congratulate the 2021 winners and look forward to more Indians taking up this cause.”
Winners of the 2021 NatWest Group Earth Heroes Awards:
Winners | Location | Award Category |
Nitish Kumar | Odisha | Green Warrior |
Shilpa SL | Karnataka | Green Warrior |
Satpura Tiger Reserve | Madhya Pradesh | Earth Guardian |
Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation | Kerala | Earth Guardian |
Arunima Singh | Uttar Pradesh | Save the Species |
Anil Bishnoi | Rajasthan | Save the Species |
Karma Sonam | Ladakh | Inspire |
Brij Mohan Singh Rathore | Madhya Pradesh | Lifetime Achievement |