Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Eco Warrior Awards 2026 Honour India’s Conservation Champions
The Eco Warrior Awards celebrate people who protect India’s forests, animals and natural resources.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said conservation is everyone’s responsibility, not just the government’s.
He explained that forests help provide water, protect soil, support wildlife and sustain people’s livelihoods.
The ceremony honoured forest officers, scientists and conservation workers for their efforts.
Some winners used technology to protect elephants and monitor wildlife.
Others worked with local communities or restored important habitats.
Project Elephant and a Great Indian Bustard project also received awards.
Experts at the event discussed technology, business support and responsible development.
The event was held in New Delhi and organised by Indian Masterminds with the Indian Forest Service Association.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav called conservation a national responsibility at the Delhi ceremony.
The awards recognised forest officers and conservationists across eight categories, including technology, wildlife protection and community work.
Brij Kishore Singh received the Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of forest and wildlife conservation.
Project Elephant and Rajasthan’s Great Indian Bustard conservation initiative received Special Projects Awards.
The accompanying conclave examined artificial intelligence, corporate partnerships and environmental ethics in conservation.
- Who
- Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, forest officers, scientists, conservationists and community-focused conservation workers.
- What
- The fourth Eco Warrior Awards honoured contributions to forest protection, wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability and community participation.
- When
- Tuesday evening, September 30, during the 2026 awards programme.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To recognise conservation achievements and discuss challenges including climate change, forest fires, habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict and pressure on natural resources.
- Event
- Fourth edition of the Eco Warrior Awards and Eco Warrior Conclave
- Organisers
- Indian Masterminds and the Indian Forest Service Association
- Award categories
- Eight categories, including Protected Area Management, Wildlife Protection and Conservation, Environment Conservation, Community Connect and Best Use of Technology
- Lifetime Achievement recipient
- Brij Kishore Singh, a 1976-batch Indian Forest Service officer and former senior Karnataka forest official
- Special Projects recipients
- Project Elephant and the Great Indian Bustard conservation project in Rajasthan
- Technology initiatives
- An AI-based elephant early-warning system and digital booking, CCTV and GPS systems at Rajgir Zoo Safari
- Nominations
- More than 80 nominations were evaluated, with two winners selected in each individual award category for the first time