Udaipur, February 28 – The prestigious Fateh Singh Rathore Memorial Wildlife Conservation Awards have been announced by Tiger Watch, the renowned conservation organization working in Ranthambore’s tiger protection zone.
This year, Dr. Kamlesh Sharma, Additional Director at the Department of Information and Public Relations, wildlife photographer, and writer, has been selected for the ‘People and Nature’ Services to Wildlife Award. He is being recognized for his dedicated work in raising awareness about environmental and wildlife conservation through journalism, photography, and research publications.
Award Ceremony Details
The award ceremony will take place on March 1, 2025, at 3:30 PM at Fateh Public School, Sawai Madhopur. The event will be a part of the 13th Fateh Singh Rathore Memorial Lecture and Conservation Awards – 2025, which honors the legacy of the late Fateh Singh Rathore, the visionary conservationist who played a pivotal role in protecting Ranthambore’s tigers.
Speaking about the selection, renowned biologist Dr. Dharmendra Khandal from Tiger Watch emphasized that the award acknowledges Dr. Sharma’s lifelong commitment and spontaneous efforts in the field of environmental and wildlife conservation.
Recognizing Dr. Kamlesh Sharma’s Contributions to Wildlife Conservation
Currently serving at the Police Headquarters in Jaipur, Dr. Kamlesh Sharma has spent over 25 years using public relations and journalism as a tool for wildlife awareness. His extensive body of work includes:
✔ Environmental Journalism – Published numerous articles and research reports in leading national and international magazines, including Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Magazine, highlighting endangered birds, wildlife species, butterflies, and rare trees.
✔ Pioneering Conservation Awareness Initiatives – Played an instrumental role in launching bird festivals in Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur, and Jaipur, fostering awareness about avian conservation.
✔ Advocacy for Tiger Rehabilitation – Led efforts to dispel misconceptions about tiger rehabilitation in Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, engaging local communities in conservation dialogue.
✔ Wildlife Rescue & Protection – Played a key role in saving over 200 birds and chicks after large nesting trees of the endangered Black-Headed Ibis were cut down in Dungarpur.
✔ Nature Education Initiative – Discovered 38 bird species in Shyampura and spearheaded efforts to establish it as a forest-based nature education center.
Honoring Fateh Singh Rathore’s Conservation Legacy
This annual event commemorates the extraordinary contributions of Fateh Singh Rathore, whose relentless efforts transformed Ranthambore into a globally recognized tiger conservation model.
The ceremony serves as a platform to bring together conservationists, researchers, and wildlife enthusiasts, celebrating their contributions towards protecting India’s rich biodiversity.
A Well-Deserved Honor for a Conservation Champion
With his remarkable work in environmental journalism, wildlife photography, and on-ground conservation, Dr. Kamlesh Sharma has played a crucial role in spreading awareness and actively contributing to the protection of India’s wildlife and ecological balance.
He now joins the esteemed list of conservationists honored with the Fateh Singh Rathore Memorial Awards—a fitting recognition of his unwavering commitment to nature.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
