15 Oct, 2025

Dr Sonali Ghosh Becomes First Indian to Win Top IUCN Conservation Award

Dr Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has become the first Indian to receive the prestigious WCPA-Kenton Miller Award. She was honored at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi on October 10, 2025, alongside Ecuador's Roque Simón Sevilla Larrea.

The award, presented every two years by the World Commission on Protected Areas, celebrates innovation in protected area management. Named after conservation pioneer Dr Kenton R. Miller, it recognizes individuals whose work has significantly impacted park management, community engagement, and wildlife protection.

A Journey Rooted in Nature

Dr Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga WCPA-Kenton Miller Awardee

Born in Pune in 1975, Sonali Ghosh grew up across India due to her father's service in the Indian Army. Those childhood years spent outdoors, moving between cantonments and forests, quietly shaped her connection with the wild. A topper of the Indian Forest Service batch of 2000-2003, she went on to earn post-graduate degrees in forestry and wildlife science.

On September 1, 2023, Dr Ghosh made history as Kaziranga's first woman Field Director. The park, home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros, demands more than administrative skills. Managing annual floods, poaching threats, and community needs requires both ecological insight and resilience.

Conservation Through Community Partnership

The IUCN specifically recognized Dr Ghosh for integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific expertise. Her work in both Kaziranga and Manas National Park demonstrates that conservation of forest and wildlife succeeds when local communities become active partners rather than bystanders.

One of her most notable achievements was overseeing the first successful rehabilitation of captive-bred clouded leopard cubs in the wild during her 15 years at Manas. She has been vocal about reforming India's captive breeding programs and strengthening veterinary support for wildlife rescue operations.

What This Means for Wildlife Tourism

For travelers interested in wildlife tourism in India, this recognition reflects the country's commitment to responsible conservation practices. Dr Ghosh's approach balances visitor experiences with habitat protection, ensuring that parks like Kaziranga remain thriving ecosystems for future generations.

Her achievement places efforts of wildlife conservation in India to the global map, acknowledging the dedicated work of forest officers, rangers, and local communities who protect these precious landscapes daily.