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Kaziranga Director Sonali Ghosh Wins Global Sustainability Award

Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has become the first Indian to receive the prestigious Kenton R. Miller Award for innovation in sustainable protected area management. The honor was conferred by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), at a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi on October 10, 2025.

She shares the award with Roque Simón Sevilla Larrea of Ecuador, recognizing their transformative efforts in conservation rooted in community engagement and ecological integration.

About the Kenton R. Miller Award

The Kenton R. Miller Award celebrates exceptional leadership and innovation in the management of protected areas such as national parks, wildlife reserves, and biodiversity hotspots.
It is administered by the WCPA, one of IUCN’s six technical commissions, which brings together conservationists and experts from across the world.
Named after a renowned conservationist, the award honors groundbreaking models that contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources and improve biodiversity protection strategies globally.

Why Sonali Ghosh Was Honored

According to the IUCN statement, Dr. Ghosh was awarded for her community-driven conservation model that blends,

Traditional ecological knowledge
Modern scientific expertise
Community awareness and participation
On-ground implementation in sensitive ecosystems

Her approach has significantly impacted conservation landscapes in Manas and Kaziranga, both located in Assam, India. It emphasizes grassroots involvement and builds sustainable, resilient protection systems for both wildlife and local communities.

About Sonali Ghosh

Dr. Sonali Ghosh is a seasoned conservationist and forest officer, currently serving as the director of Kaziranga, one of India’s most iconic national parks known for its one-horned rhinoceroses and rich biodiversity.

Her work combines,

Wildlife management
Ecological research
Community partnerships
Policy advocacy

She has also contributed to strategic planning and ecological monitoring in protected areas across India’s northeast, bringing scientific rigor and inclusivity into conservation frameworks.

Significance for India and Assam

Dr. Ghosh’s recognition on a global stage reinforces,

India’s leadership in sustainable conservation models
Assam’s pivotal role in biodiversity preservation
The importance of inclusive conservation that involves local communities as stewards of nature
Her model could serve as a replicable framework for other ecologically sensitive zones across the country and the world.