Meet some unsung tiger heroes

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Each year, the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Partnership awards a Conservation Hero Award to an Indian conservationist, recognising their dedication to wildlife.  

Supported by Born Free, the partnership is a coalition of local conservation organisations and individuals, who work tirelessly in the dense forests of Central India to protect one of the world’s most important tiger landscapes, the Satpuda Highlands.

This landscape is key to the ‘water security’ of millions of Indians – helping ensure clean and safe water by soaking up and filtering rainfall. The forests deliver essential ‘ecosystem services’ to benefit surrounding communities, and beyond – not least carbon storage, removing pollutants and providing oxygen.

Coming up in a few weeks, the annual Satpuda Landscape Tiger Partnership Conservation Hero Award, supported by Born Free and the partnership’s long-term well-wisher Tony Renton, recognises and encourages the vital conservation efforts of individuals from diverse backgrounds. In the past this has included forest guards, scientists, civil society members, and local community members.

Our consultant Yashvardhan Dalmia, who coordinates the partnership, tells us about some of the recent Conservation Hero Award winners, and explains why it’s so important to recognise the individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting wild animals and their habitats.

Yashvardhan Dalmia

What comes to mind when you think of conservation? A charismatic animal like a tiger or an elephant? Your favourite documentary and its presenter? Or perhaps the logo of your favourite wildlife charity? 

While these icons often become the public face of wildlife conservation, and rightly receive recognition and admiration, there are many individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes, making an invaluable contribution to protecting our natural world.

Every worthy winner of the Conservation Hero Award receives a certificate and cash award, to support their ongoing conservation work. So, it’s my pleasure to introduce some of the inspiring recipients from recent years and tell you a little about their vital work for tigers.

Ms Amrapali Padghan: 2025 Winner

Amrapali Padghan

Amrapali Padghan works as a Forest Guard at Bor Tiger Reserve, in Central India. This is a challenging role – it demands long hours in difficult terrain, and constant vigilance. Yet, she goes far beyond the call of duty.

Through her dedication and passion for nature, Amrapali has made remarkable contributions to conserving the region’s rich biodiversity, including detailed studies on butterflies and their ecological importance. This has even resulted in the discovery of two new butterfly species!

Alongside surveys, Ms Padghan also conducts regular forest patrols, monitors wildlife habitats, and supports forest fire prevention and human–wildlife conflict mitigation efforts. She works closely with communities, leading a wildlife awareness programme in schools and colleges motivating the next generation of conservationists.

Beyond her fieldwork, Ms Padghan also inspires others through her writings on nature, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the environment and the importance of its conservation.

Ms Arti Fule: 2024 Winner

Arti Fule

Protecting tigers and the rich biodiversity of central India involves far more than protecting habitats. It also requires combating wildlife crime and poaching networks, something that demands exceptional courage, determination, and resilience.

In recognition of these qualities, Arti Fule, a Forest Guard from the Gondia Forest Division in Maharashtra, received the award for her outstanding contribution to anti-poaching efforts and wildlife protection as a member of the Special Tiger Protection Force in Pench Tiger Reserve.

As a member of the Protection Force, Ms Fule played a vital role in monitoring tigers and other wildlife, while actively investigating poaching cases. Her work included gathering intelligence, collecting crucial evidence, and supporting efforts to curb illegal wildlife activities.

In addition, as part of the Rapid Response Unit, she participated in numerous wildlife rescue operations, helping save wild animals and responding swiftly to threats across the landscape.

Dr Gajanan Muratkar: 2022 Winner

Gajanan Muratkar

Grasslands are among the world’s most overlooked ecosystems. Despite their immense ecological value, they can be labelled here in India as ‘wastelands’. The 2022 Conservation Hero has dedicated his life to changing this perception. Dr Gajanan Muratkar was presented the award in recognition of his invaluable contributions to grassland conservation across the central Indian landscape.

Dr Muratkar pioneered a meadow development technique that actively involves field staff and forest officials in collecting native grass seeds, establishing seed banks, and systematically restoring meadows using local grass species.

Over the past decade and a half, he has successfully used this approach to replace invasive weeds with thriving native grasslands across tiger reserves and other Protected Areas in central India. These restored meadows provide vital habitat for tigers, big herbivores, and numerous lesser-known grassland species, strengthening ecosystem health and resilience.

Through his pioneering work, Dr Muratkar has made a lasting contribution to wildlife conservation in central India and beyond.

The Satpuda Landscape Tiger Partnership partners, together with Born Free and Tony Renton, remain committed to recognising and supporting these impressive grassroots conservation champions. By celebrating their selfless contributions and innovative approaches, we hope to inspire many more individuals to take action for the protection of wildlife and to protect central India’s remarkable natural heritage.