https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Honours India’s Green Heroes at a Grand Celebration of Conservation and Innovation

The Eco Warrior Awards 2025 honoured exceptional IFS officers and innovative initiatives for excellence in wildlife conservation, forest protection, community engagement, technology use, and sustainable environmental efforts across India.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: The spirit of conservation and environmental stewardship was brought to life at the Eco Warrior Awards 2025 and the 3rd edition of the Eco Warrior Conclave, held in New Delhi this evening. Organised by Indian Masterminds in collaboration with the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Association, the event recognised outstanding individuals and innovative initiatives that are shaping the future of India’s environmental landscape.

The evening was graced by Mr Bharat Lal, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as the Chief Guest, alongside several eminent dignitaries including senior IFS officers, and leaders from India’s corporate and environmental sectors.

The event began with a solemn tribute on the occasion of National Forest Martyrs’ Day, commemorating those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to protect India’s forests and wildlife.

Among the other distinguished guests were Mr. S K Awasthi, Director General of Forests; Dr. S.P. Yadav, Director General of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA); Ms Jyotsna Sitling, Patron of the IFS Association; Ms Monalisa Das, Secretary General of the IFS Association; Prabhakar Singh, Co-Founder of Indian Masterminds; and Mr. Sharad Gupta, Editor of Indian Masterminds.

Special guests included Mr. Ramveer Tanwar, famously known as Pondman of India; and IRS Rohit Mehra, fondly known as Green Man of India.

Highlights of the Evening

Keynote Address by Ms. Monalisa Das, Secretary General of the IFS Association, set the tone for the conclave, highlighting India’s global position in forest cover increase.

Key discussions featured two impactful panel sessions: one on Eco-Tourism for the Future, chaired by IFS officer Mr. Vidya Bhushan, highlighting how responsible tourism can empower conservation and communities; and the second on Awakening Collective Environmental Consciousness, led by Mr. Satendra Kumar Singh, focusing on transforming awareness into action.

A Wildlife Photography Exhibition by internationally acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Mr. Mohd Aslam Warisi added an artistic dimension to the evening.

Eco Warrior Awards 2025 – Honouring Excellence in Conservation

The evening’s pinnacle was the Eco Warrior Awards 2025, which recognised excellence across seven key categories, with a special Lifetime Achievement Award presented to-

  • Dr. H.S. Singh, Former PCCF, Gujarat – Lifetime Achievement Award

Other notable winners included

  • IFS Officer Sonali Ghosh, Field Director, Kaziranga National Park – Wildlife Conservation Award
  • IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan, DFO, Jaldapara – Wildlife Protection Award
  • IFS Officer Irfan Rasool Wani, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir – Forest Protection Award
  • IFS Officer K.M. Abharna, CASFOS – Community Connect Award
  • IFS Officer Dr. S.K. Srivastava, Gujarat – Best Use of Technology Award

Innovative Initiatives Recognized

  • Project Cheetah – Accepted by Mr. Uttam Kumar Sharma, Kuno National Park
  • Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam – Accepted by Mr. Sunil Chaudhary, PCCF, Uttar Pradesh

Special Mentions & Recognitions

The event also honoured: Corporate contributors from GAIL, Indian Oil, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd.

Mr. Mohd Aslam Warisi, for his outstanding wildlife photography and documentary work.

Jury Members, including Dr. S.K. Awasthi, Mr. C.P. Goyal, Dr. S.P. Yadav, Dr. Madhu Verma, and Mr. Keshav Varma, for their commitment to upholding excellence.

A Night to Remember

A special E-book and AV launch chronicling the journey of the Eco Warrior Awards from 2023 to 2025 was unveiled, followed by a video message from Mr Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Bharat Lal, addressed the gathering with an inspiring message on collective environmental responsibility, emphasising the importance of long-term ecological stewardship.

The Minister Address

Union Minister of Forests, Climate Change, and Environment, Mr. Bhupender Yadav, was scheduled to be the Chief Guest. However, due to an urgent function and programme convened by the Prime Minister, he was unable to attend in person. Despite his absence, Mr. Yadav sent a special video message to inspire and encourage the dedicated forest officers present at the ceremony.

The Minister congratulated all the officials of the Indian Forest Service Association and said, “As the Environment Minister, I maintain a constant dialogue with them. Their contribution to the promotion and conservation of India’s natural wealth is invaluable. Our forest officers work tirelessly, day and night, to maintain a harmonious balance with nature.”

“In collaboration with Indian Masterminds, they started a new tradition in 2023 by instituting the Eco Warrior Awards. I have had the privilege of being present at the last two editions. The forest sector today faces many new and evolving challenges – be it human-wildlife conflict, forest degradation, water body conservation, protection of endangered species, wildlife crime, or most importantly, the mission to increase the green cover of the country. Despite these challenges, our officers continue to move forward with determination.”

He further said, “The purpose of these awards is to encourage and honour such efforts. One of the greatest lessons we learn from nature is the concept of ‘net zero’ – nature’s greatest gift to us. While the term is widely discussed globally today, its true inspiration lies in nature itself.”

“I congratulate all the award winners. I also urge the new generation of officers to work with energy and purpose to strengthen the ecological and economic balance of our nation – because it is only by preserving our ecology that we can truly grow our economy.”

Closing Remarks

The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr Sharad Gupta, Editor, Indian Masterminds, followed by a celebratory dinner and photo session with all awardees and dignitaries.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 2.07
Govardhan Puja: CM Mohan Yadav Performs Puja at Tilkeshwar Temple, Reiterates Commitment to Farmers & Cow Welfare
Pushkar Singh Dhami Cow
Govardhan Puja in Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Highlights Cow Conservation as Key to Culture and Self-Reliance
Gujarat News
From Temple to Policy: Gujarat CM’s New Year Message Blends Tradition with Self-Reliant Growth
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Lights Up with Development: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Celebrates Diwali at Gurudham, Announces Rs. 1.58 Crore Revamp Plan
Lucknow parks development
Lucknow’s Green Makeover: LDA to Revamp 50 Parks with Rs. 150 Crore Urban Eco-Development Plan
Yogi Adityanath Ayodhya visit in Diwali
Yogi Government’s Bold Move: Satellite 'Invest UP' Offices in 5 Metro Cities to Boost National & Global Investments in Uttar Pradesh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT