TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards

TOFTigers is an organisation that focuses on rekindling the spirit of collective action in order to save India’s most charismatic animal, the tiger. It focuses on protecting it, as well as supporting and encouraging the government, parks, travel operators and communities to do the same. On September 23, the organisation held the 2016 edition of the TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards, in association with Sanctuary Asia and Outlook Traveller, with Madhya Pradesh Tourism as the official state partner. The awards were accompanied by a gala dinner and held at the residence of the British High Commissioner in New Delhi. The judging panel included Amit Dixit, editor of Outlook Traveller, and was chaired by international filmmaker Mike Pandey. Some of the prominent winners include the Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Pench Tiger Reserve—honoured with the ‘Dr Chuck McDougal Visitor Friendly Wildlife Destination of the Year’ award. Jabarkhet National Reserve in Uttarakhand was honoured with the ‘Wildlife and Tourism Initiative of Year’ award, as a result of their restoration of a 110-acre wasteland. Exodus Travels of the UK and Abercrombie & Kent India won awards for best ‘International Tour Operator’ and ‘Wildlife Promotion’, respectively. In the realm of lodges, Chambal Safari Lodge, Reni Pani Jungle Lodge and Singinawa Jungle Lodge were the big winners. And finally, some individual naturalists and guides were recognised for their knowledge and dedication, including Radhika Prasad More from Panna Tiger Reserve and Dhan Bahadur Tamang from Chitwan. Check out toftigers.org to know more about the initiative.