Whitley Awards

• The Whitley Awards support grassroots leaders in countries rich in natural resources but lacking in financial resources for conservation. 
• It is organised by UK based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN). These awards are also sometimes referred to as Green Oscars.
• Winners are local environmental heroes, acting on the latest science and leading projects with passion. Through them we support work rooted in communities that creates lasting benefits for habitats, wildlife and people.
• The Whitley Fund for Nature is a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity offering recognition, training and grants to support the work of proven grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South.

Why in the news?

• Nuklu Phom, Nagaland’s conservationist, has been awarded Whitley Awards along with 5 other conservationists.
• The award recognises Phom’s efforts at establishing a new biodiversity peace corridor changing the fate of Amur Falcons, which come to roost in Nagaland each year, from being hunted by locals. 
• The award money will be used for creating a new network of community-owned forests to protect Amur Falcons and increase biodiversity in Nagaland.
• Since the project began in 2007, three reserves have been set aside and the number of roosting falcons has risen dramatically due to efforts put in by Nuklu and his team. An estimated 50,000 Amur Falcons roosted in 2010, increasing to as many as 1,000,000 individuals in 2019, thanks to Nuklu’s success.
• Read more about Amur Falcon at  https://officerspulse.com/amur-falcon-sighted-near-point-calimere/

References:

1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/environment/nagaland-conservationist-nuklu-phom-gets-prestigious-whitley-awards-2021-101620967137243.html
2. https://whitleyaward.org/winners/establishing-a-biodiversity-peace-corridor-in-nagaland/