Nature tourism is a far from perfect practice in most wilderness destinations. However, it is our belief that the potential of tourism to turn into a valuable conservation tool cannot be understated. This we know will only happen when tourism actually finances wildlife and ecosystem protection and restoration and local communities become the first beneficiaries of the return of biodiversity. The jury was chaired by well-known nature film-maker Mike Pandey and included Sanctuary Asia Editor Bittu Sahgal, Indian Forest Service officer Rajiv Bhartari, wildlife tourism pioneer K. K. Singh and TOFTigers founder Julian Matthews. Awards were presented at the residence of the British High Commissioner in New Delhi on September 19, 2014.
The winners in each Award Categories for 2014 are:
The Billy Arjan Singh Memorial Award for Wildlife Guide of the Year 2014 (carries INR 20,000 prize)
Sponsored by Indian Wildlife Experiences (IWX)
WINNER: Ramesh Suyal, Corbett, Uttarakhand
An outstanding local guide who has gone the extra mile to use his passion to enthuse others - visitors and community alike - about wildlife and conservation. Harbouring the basis of responsible tourism, he has helped to bring employment to others and supports local projects and communities.
Lodge Naturalist of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Mysteries of India
WINNER: David Raju, Forsyth Lodge, Satpura, Madhya Pradesh
Hailed as one of the most enthusiastic and inspirational naturalists in India, David is an excellent communicator inspiring all ages and his neighbouring communities with his passion for wildlife. He is also a well published researcher and is called on by forest staff to help ID numerous species.
www.forsythlodge.com
Visitor Friendly Wildlife Destination of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Ashok Piramal
WINNER: Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya PradeshSatpura has set an extraordinary example in its approach, planning for tourism early in its opening to visitors, working in partnership with tourism owners, seeking alternative activities to the usual game drives, and enabling canoeing, camping safaris and guided walks in some of Central India's most fabulous landscape. A superb example of how with vision and foresight one can offer nature travellers exceptional experiences in the natural world, while enhancing conservation objectives.
dirsatpuranp@moforest.org
Wildlife and Tourism Initiative of the Year 2014
WINNER: SAI (Save Animals Initiative) Sanctuary, Karnataka
Dubbed Noah's Ark due to its rich biodiversity, this 300+acre not for profit sanctuary serves the dual purpose of protecting the rapidly vanishing biodiversity of the Western Ghats and encouraging its visitors to value nature. A first class example of how conservation - in this case the hard work and dedication of one couple, Dr. and Mrs. Malhotra - combined with ecotourism can play its part in India's nature conservation efforts.
www.saisanctuary.com
Wildlife Tourism Related Community Initiative of the Year 2014
WINNER: Corbett Foundation, Corbett, Kaziranga, Kanha, BandhavgarhAn outstanding NGO dedicated to wildlife conservation, forest dependent communities and environmental sustainability founded by the owner of Infinity Resorts. This award recognises the Corbett Foundation's great efforts in skills development amongst almost 1,500 local men and women bordering tiger reserves over the last two years, and its work with more than 350 villages helping to build a world where man and nature can live in harmony.
www.corbettfoundation.org
International Wildlife Tour Operator of the Year 2014
WINNER: Wildlife Trails, U.K.
With its own NGO, The Tiger Trails Foundation, U.K.-based Wildlife Trails provides direct support to communities around Ranthambhore, works with expert local guides and is applauded for its attention to detail and local knowledge in organising tours. A long-time supporter of TOFTigers, Wildlife Trails also has 5 stars from AITO for sustainable tourism.
www.wildlifetrails.co.uk
Wildlife Promotion Company of the Year 2014
WINNER: Pugdundee Safaris
This wildlife safari operator founded in 2009 on a strong sustainable tourism foundation, has helped put India firmly on the world map as an unparalleled nature tourism destination. Together with its five lodge operations in Madhya Pradesh all of which pass TOFTigers' PUG eco-certification, and overall team employing over 150 people, it has also pioneered wildlife camping and walking safaris in buffer zones and supported conservation and community development through its dedicated Conservation Cell.
www.pugdundeesafaris.com
The John Wakefield Memorial Award for Most inspirational Eco Lodge of the Year 2014
JOINT WINNER: Orange County, Kabini, Nagarhole, KarnatakaInspired by local architecture, Orange County with an Outstanding TOFTigers PUG eco-rating, combines high quality hospitality and service with respect for the environment and active involvement with its local farmers.  Innovative thinking and planning has meant it set aside acres for a butterfly sanctuary, a unique interpretation centre and local cooperative for selling locally made handicrafts to its visitors.
www.orangecounty.in/kabini-resorts/
JOINT WINNER: Kipling Camp, Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
Kipling, one of the oldest wildlife lodges in India set up by some of the pioneers in India's conservation movement, has transformed what was a bare patch of land in the 1980s into a forest of trees and yet a haven of old world hospitality in which wildlife and birdlife once again flourishes. Decades of hard work have won the owners unique support amongst its local tribal communities, earning this lodge huge respect locally and opening doors to critical wildlife protection intelligence nobody else can match. TOFTigers PUG eco-rated Outstanding.
www.kiplingcamp.com
