March 4, 2025 - Writer and wildlife photographer Dr Kamlesh Sharma has been honoured by the 13th Fateh Singh Rathore Memorial Wildlife Conservation Awards with the People and Nature Services to Wildlife Award. This felicitation is an annual award organised by the renowned Ranthambhore-based conservation organisation, Tiger Watch.

Dr Sharma, who is attached to the Jaipur police headquarters as Additional Director of Information and Public Relations Department, received the award in a ceremony held at Fateh Public School in Sawai Madhopur.

He has been given this recognition for creating public awareness in the field of environment and wildlife conservation through his writings on environmental topics and wildlife photography. Dr Sharma received a citation, a commemorative plaque and cash award of Rs 21,000.

Renowned wildlife scientist Dr Dharmendra Khandal from Tiger Watch introduced the awardees and shared details of their contributions in the field of environment and wildlife conservation.

Dr Khandal explained that Dr Sharma was selected for his work spanning more than 25 years in which he used his writings to raise awareness about the environment and wildlife and promote bird conservation. His articles have been published in major national newspapers and magazines. He has also contributed articles and research reports on rare and endangered birds, wildlife, butterflies and trees in the Bombay Natural History Society’s magazine. Additionally, the environmentalist has played an active role in the initiation of bird festivals in Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur and Jaipur districts.

Dr Sharma, who is originally from the town of Barodia in Banswara district, has been instrumental in raising public awareness and dispelling misconceptions among villagers regarding tiger rehabilitation in the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. He has been responsible for saving more than 200 birds and chicks by preventing the cutting down of trees that housed hundreds of the endangered Black-headed Ibis in Dungarpur. Dr Sharma has also contributed towards uncovering the location of 38 bird species in Shyampura and campaigning to turn it into a Forest Nature Education Centre.

Guests at the event included Arijit Banerjee, Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Rajasthan; Sunil Limaye, retired PCCF and environmental expert from Maharashtra; Anoop K Raghavan, Field Director of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Harshvardhan, well-known  wildlife and bird conservation expert, Dr Satish Sharma, renowned environmental scientist, and Arvind Chotiya, senior media person.