Earth Heroes award to two from city, region

Nagpur: Bringing laurels to the city and region, wildlife and environmental cartoonist Rohan Chakravarty and range forest officer (RFO) of East Pench Atul Deokar have won the 'Earth Heroes' awards instituted by The Royal Bank of Scotland. At a ceremony in Delhi on October 26, Chakravarty got the award for his green-themed cartoons in the 'Inspire' category while Deokar received it in the category of 'Save the Species' for his work on wild buffalo and vultures in Gadchiroli district. Both have decided to donate the prize money of Rs2 lakh to causes close to their hearts.

Chakravarty's cartoon strip 'Green Humour' is published by two national newspapers and an international syndicate. Though he studied to be a dentist, now Rohan is collaborating with NGOs and forest officials to create wildlife maps and compiling information about wildlife and tribal life. "There are many who do not read scientifically presented facts about environment. So I try to create awareness through comic strips. For this, I break down information into a script and lace it with humour," he says.

Also a recipient of International President's Award given by WWF to recognize leadership in conservationists under 30 years, earlier this year, the latest award has been given to Chakravarty for his entire repertoire. He plans to utilize the prize money to draw attention to issues in Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. "This valley and sanctuary is not very popular with tourist. It is home to Mishmi tribals, and is facing a lot of pressure from hunting and poaching by them," says Rohan, who plans to travel to the region to understand the ecology, meet people, and prepare a wildlife map that can be used by forest department.

Deokar has received the award for his contributions to conservation of critically endangered pure breed of wild buffalo species and vultures in Naxal-infested Kolamarka in Gadchiroli district. He was involved in nursing the Kolamarka Conservation Reserve between 2012-15 while posted there. In 2016, he was presented the Sanctuary-Asia Award for the same work.

Deokar has decided to donate the award money to a trust founded in his father Rambhau's name for uplifting education standards of poor students in six villages in obscure Shelgaon (R) in Barshi taluka of Solapur district, from where he hails. "At least 150 SSC and HSC students will be selected in the first phase. These students will also be guided for appearing in competitive exams later. They will also be given special lessons on nature and wildlife education," said Deokar.

"On priority, a library will be built for a high school in Shelgaon. The trust also plans to give fellowships to first three SSC and HSC toppers from these little known villages," he added.