Britian gave environmental award to Indian conservationists

Introduction

King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom recently presented the prestigious Elephant Family environmental award to Indian conservationists. The award ceremony recognized filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves, the creative mind behind the Oscar-winning documentary “The Elephant Whisperers,” and the Real Elephant Collective (TREC), a group of 70 Adivasi artists. Both Gonsalves and TREC were acknowledged for their exceptional storytelling, advocacy for coexistence, and dedication to preserving India’s natural world.

Kartiki Gonsalves and the Tara Award

Kartiki Gonsalves, the debut director of the acclaimed documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers,’ received the Tara Award from King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The Tara Award, inspired by the sacred bond between elephants and humans, acknowledges outstanding accomplishments in storytelling and advocacy for coexistence. The film highlights the profound connection between humans and elephants through the heartwarming story of Raghu, an orphaned elephant from the same herds depicted in TREC’s sculptures.

TREC and the Mark Shand Award

The Real Elephant Collective (TREC) was honored with the Mark Shand Award, named after the late founder of Elephant Family. TREC, an international NGO dedicated to protecting the Asian elephant, has made significant contributions to conservation efforts. Their work has not only garnered recognition but also paved the way for the establishment of the CoExistence Consortium—a collaborative initiative that brings together local experts, ecologists, anthropologists, geographers, and conservationists.

‘The Elephant Whisperers’ at the Academy Awards

‘The Elephant Whisperers’ was awarded the prestigious Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film earlier this year. The globally acclaimed film chronicles the inspiring journey of an indigenous couple as they nurture and care for Raghu, forming an unbreakable bond with the elephant. The documentary serves as a testament to the beauty of India’s wilderness, the wisdom of tribal communities, and the empathy shared between humans and animals in their shared space.