‘Hero of Ranthambhore’

Hero of Ranthambhore is a program initiated since May 2007, where people in service doing exceptional jobs are honored for their contribution in saving and protecting wildlife in Ranthambhore.

The nominees are chosen from either the ground staff of the Forest department, the police department, the local media or simply individuals doing conservation job in their areas. These people are chosen based on the work accomplished by them towards better conservation of Ranthambhore’s wildlife and tiger’s.

The award is given once every 2 months and includes a citation and a monetary reward of Rs. 5000/-. A small ceremony is organized where the heroes are honored in a public gathering and a chief guest of distinction gives away the award. So far, nine people have been chosen for this honor.. .

1. Mr. R. S. Kala, Forest Ranger

Fateh Singh Rathore awarding Ranger Kala along with Tiger Watch Secretary Ashutosh Mahadevia and a personnel from the US Embassy

With the co-operation of Mr. Kala who was the then Ranger of the Phalodi range of the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary, Operation Co-operation between Forest Department and Tiger Watch started for anti-poaching work in the area. The team had successes and many wildlife criminals got convicted. This was the starting point of the vigorous anti-poaching drive in Ranthambhore.

2. Mr. Omprakash Sharma, Forester

Omprakash Sharma Being Awarded by John Singhji – Also in the picture – Rajiv Singh, Fateh Singh Rathore and Ashutosh Mahadevia

Mr. Sharma is a forester and works for the flying squad of Ranthambhore National Park. He is responsible for documenting evidence and legal cases against wildlife crimes that have helped in successful prosecution of the criminals.

3. Mr. Girraj Sharma, Journalist- ETV (Rajasthan)

Geoffrey C. Ward Awarding Journalist Girraj Sharma

Mr. Sharma has been earlier responsible for printing more than a 1000 stories in Rajasthan Patrika, a local newspaper. After he has moved to the ETV Rajasthan a news channel, he continues to bring the issues of the wildlife to people strongly. He is one of the few journalists who understand the issues of wildlife and the importance of wildlife protection in Ranthambhore.

4. Mr. Alok Gautam, SHO - Rajasthan Police Department

Geoffrey C. Ward awarding SHO Alok Gautam

Mr. Alok Gautam played an important role in the anti-poaching raid in Gangapur area in July 2007. His timely intervention helped the anti-poaching team in nabbing the criminals before the crime was actually committed. This was the first ever backstop raid that resulted in nabbing criminals before they could find a way to commit the crime.

5. Mr. P. D. Gurjar, Forester

John Singh Awarding forester P. D. Gurjar

Mr. Gurjar has been working for the development of the area around Balas Chowki in Sawai Man Singh sanctuary. He has been persistently working with the villagers to make them more sensitive towards the issues and problems of wildlife conservation. He has recently been taking care of an abandoned leopard cub; he has named ‘Laxmi.’

6. Mr. Sudarshan Sharma, Forest Guard

Eminent Social Worker Manvendra Singh Awarding Sudarshan Sharma

Mr. Sharma received the award in July 2008 for his outstanding work in preventing wildlife crimes. He has been involved in nabbing 18 criminals in different cases of wildlife crime. He was also a part of the team that took the Former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton around Ranthambhore. His hard work has earned him much appreciation from his seniors and higher authorities.

7. Mr. Jagdish Singh - Ex - Army Personnel

'Green Teacher' - Madhu Bhatnagar presenting award to Jagdish Singh

Jagdish Singh – Ex-army personnel, posted at Khandar range. Last year 36 bull carts filled with forest wood were caught by the Forest Department, the area you can imagine how difficult to work in. He has played an important role in stopping villagers from wood cutting and grazing in that area. Villagers attacked him – broke his hands and head, even after 36 hours he was hospitalized in a very bad condition. Tiger Watch and Prakritik Society facilitated his free treatment. He went back and resumed his duty in the same range.

8. Mr. Rajveer Singh - Forest Guard

Ashutosh Mahadevia honoring Forest Guard Rajveer Singh

Rajveer Singh – Forest guard and an expert in animal rescue and rehabilitation. He is the first to reach the spot whether it is a tranquilized tiger or rattle. Member of the anti-poaching squad, he is the first one to be called for due to his efficiency and sharpness.

9. Mr. Jaagan Singh Choudhary - Police Constable

Journalist and Wildlife filmmaker Jay Mazoomdaar Awarding Jaagan Singh Choudhary

Mr. Jaagan Singh is a police constable, a sportsman, and wrestler – A fit and strong man. Jaagan has been involved with Tiger Watch in the arrest of difficult poachers like Kesra Mogya, Parthya, Neniya Mogya, trader Babloo and in the capture the most important poacher Devisingh Mogya. He keeps a vigil on any poaching activities in the area. He is a brave and fearless Police constable of the department.

This award is committed to encourage people working on the ground-level in the field of wildlife conservation in and around Ranthambhore.

It is important that people working in conservation are motivated to get a long-term commitment towards wildlife protection.

It is very difficult to work on the field conditions and despite all odds the staff and many individuals around the forest fight for the tiger’s survival. It is in due acknowledgement of their efforts that this award was initiated – To honor these True Heroes of Ranthambhore.

The program is supported by two friends of Ranthambhore – Mr. Varun Bery and Mr. Vikram Vohra.