Awards

TOFT Wildlife Tourism Awards 2010

The TOFT Wildlife Tourism Awards 2010 were held at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in New Delhi. The event brought together members of the wildlife tourism industry, park managers, conservationists and experts to celebrate the individuals and organisations supporting forest and tiger conservation through responsible tourism.

Kartikeya Singh Chauhan

Lodge Naturalist of the Year 2010

Mahua Kothi, Bandhavgarh

Rajesh Kumar Dwivedi

Wildlife Guide of the Year 2010

Bandhavgarh National Park

Inspirational Eco Lodge of the Year

Winner: Camp Forktail Corbett – Uttarakhand

Joint Runners Up: Shergarh Tented Camp – Kanha & Kanha Jungle Lodge – Kanha

Visitor Friendly Wildlife Destination

Highly Commended: Satpura National Park – Madhya Pradesh

Satpura has developed a pioneering low-impact tourism model offering guided walks, elephant safaris and water activities while supporting conservation and local communities.

Wildlife and Tourism Award of the Year

Winner: Help Tourism – North East & Bengal

Joint Runner Up: Mangalajodi Ecotourism Project – Odisha

Wildlife Tourism Community Initiative of the Year

Winner: Village Ways – Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

Joint Runner Up: Eaglenest – Kaati Trust, Arunachal Pradesh

TOFT Wildlife Tourism Awards 2012

TOFTigers are delighted to announce the winners for the TOFT Wildlife Tourism Awards held on 14th September 2012. Competition was fierce and we congratulate all nominees for their dedication to eco-tourism and conservation. The winners and runners up represent some of the finest examples of responsible wildlife tourism and conservation work in India and internationally.

Best International Tour Operator for Wildlife of the Year 2012

Winner: Cox and Kings, UK

Cox and Kings have actively supported wildlife tourism initiatives across India and have been long-standing supporters of TOFT programmes including guide training and driver training initiatives in Madhya Pradesh.

Contact: jessica.cater@coxandkings.co.uk
 
Runner Up: Sawadee, Netherlands

Sawadee is a leading sustainable tourism operator in the Netherlands and an active supporter of TOFT’s guide training programmes.

Contact: saskia.Griep@sawadee.nl

Best Lodge Naturalist of the Year 2012

Winner: Rajesh Bhatt – Jim’s Jungle Lodge, Corbett

Rajesh Bhatt is a self-taught naturalist and conservationist with exceptional knowledge of botany and birdlife. He actively trains forest guards and runs ecotourism education initiatives through his NGO “Rainbow”.

Contact: rajeshbhatt0@rediffmail.com
 
Runner Up: Shukra Kumal – Ken River Lodge, Pench

With over 28 years of experience, Shukra Kumal is an expert naturalist with deep knowledge of birds, reptiles, insects and flora. He actively contributes to wildlife training programmes and census operations in Panna.

Contact: manav@pugdundeesafaris.com

Best Tourist Related Community Initiative of the Year 2012

Winner: Prakratik Society – Ranthambhore

For over two decades, the Prakratik Society has worked with communities around Ranthambhore National Park supporting education, healthcare, afforestation and sustainable livelihoods.

Contact: info@prakratiksociety.org
 
Runner Up: Shakti Himalayas

Shakti promotes responsible tourism through village walks and restored village homes across Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Ladakh, generating income for remote Himalayan communities.

Contact: soumya@shaktihimalaya.com

Best Wildlife Promotion Company of the Year 2012

Winner: &Beyond India

&Beyond India is operated by naturalists and wildlife experts dedicated to promoting responsible wildlife tourism and showcasing India as a premier wildlife destination globally.

Contact: reinee.ghosh@andbeyondindia.com
 
Runner Up: Royal Expeditions

Royal Expeditions specialises in wildlife travel experiences and has pioneered imaginative wildlife study tours for international travellers.

Contact: vishal@royalexpeditions.com

Best Wildlife / Tourism Initiative of the Year 2012

Winner: Wildernest – Goa

Wildernest has created a 450-acre private sanctuary protecting a vital tiger corridor between Goa and Karnataka. The project has restored forest habitat and reduced poaching threats.

Contact: ophidian_nirmal@yahoo.co.in
 
Runner Up: Pugdundee Safaris & Ken River Lodge – Madhya Pradesh

Ken River Lodge has transformed farmland into thriving forest habitat and works closely with local communities through training programmes and conservation initiatives.

Contact: pugdundeesafaris@gmail.com
 
Joint Runner Up: Reni Pani Lodge – Satpura

Reni Pani Lodge combines eco-sensitive architecture with strong conservation and community commitments while delivering exceptional wildlife experiences.

Contact: info@renipanijunglelodge.com

The Billy Arjan Singh Memorial Award – Best Wildlife Guide 2012

Joint Winner: Yadvendra Singh Rajawat – Ranthambhore

A dedicated guide and long-time President of the Guide Association, Yadvendra has contributed to conservation, census operations and guide training programmes.

Contact: yadtiger@gmail.com
 
Joint Winner: Vipal Jain – Ranthambhore

Vipal Jain has worked in Ranthambhore since 1993 and has been actively involved in tourism-led conservation initiatives and community awareness programmes.

Contact: vipultiger2001@gmail.com
 
Joint Runners Up: Guru Prasad Yadav – Kanha
Joint Runners Up: Ajay Marskole – Pench

The John Wakefield Memorial Award – Inspirational Eco Lodge 2012

Joint Winner: Mahua Kothi – Bandhavgarh

Mahua Kothi supports community initiatives, wildlife conservation projects and habitat restoration programmes including the reintroduction of Gaur into Bandhavgarh.

 
Joint Winner: Tiger Trails Jungle Lodge – Tadoba

Tiger Trails Jungle Lodge transformed barren land into a thriving wildlife habitat and supports livelihoods for communities living around Tadoba Tiger Reserve.

 
Runner Up: Singinawa Jungle Lodge – Kanha

Singinawa Jungle Lodge supports local education and healthcare programmes and maintains a conservation reserve protecting wildlife habitat.

Visitor Friendly Wildlife Destination of the Year 2012

Winner: Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve – Rajasthan

Ranthambhore has successfully balanced high visitor numbers with responsible tourism management, improved wildlife viewing experiences and strong cooperation between tourism and conservation stakeholders.

 
Runner Up: Pench Tiger Reserve – Madhya Pradesh

Pench has been recognised as one of the best-managed tiger reserves in India, offering a well-regulated tourism experience with strong wildlife populations and conservation programmes.