PATA Chairman Hiran Cooray introduces PATA New CEO Martin Craigs to the PTM delegates at the PTM 2011 Dinner Reception.

New Delhi: On 10 September 2011, India honored two courageous men who fought all odds to revive and protect tiger populations in the country.

Shri R. Sreenivasa Murthy, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh and Shri Tana Tapi, Divisional Forest Officer, Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary Assam received WWF-PATA’s Bagh Mitra Awards 2011 at a function hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi.

WWF-PATA Bagh Mitra Awards, jointly instituted by WWF-India and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), aim to acknowledge individuals and institutions/community groups for their leadership and transformative contribution to conserve India’s wild Tigers and their habitats.

Shri R. Sreenivasa Murthy was acknowledged for his enduring efforts to reintroduce and revive the tiger population at Panna Tiger Reserve. At a time when Panna had lost all its tigers and the staff morale was low, Shri Murthy took on the challenge to bring tigers back to the Reserve. Two tigresses had already been introduced to Panna and Shri Murthy helped translocate another tigress and a male tiger. By ensuring proper monitoring and protection, Panna Tiger Reserve soon achieved breeding success. Shri Murthy not only helped Panna restore its pride but also helped rekindle the lost spirit of this forest.

Shri Tana Tapi received this prestigious award for his exemplary work to restore and secure the Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary. Despite numerous challenges including armed militancy, poachers and other criminal elements, Shri Tapi was successful in upscaling anti-poaching efforts in this area. Such personal threats and limitations of human resources and other infrastructure never deterred him from working hard to protect tigers of Pakke as also their habitat and other associated species. During the last two years, he has constructed 40 anti-poaching camps and arrested several poachers.

Mr Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India said, “WWF-PATA Bagh Mitra Awards are a medium for us to recognize the Tiger heroes of our country as well as an opportunity to celebrate India’s wild tigers and acknowledge the incredible efforts involved in protecting and conserving them for future generations”.

He further added, “Tiger is the national animal of our country and to protect it is every individuals’ responsibility. WWF-India recognizes this need to save the species in the wild and has partnered with PATA India Chapter for this prestigious award”. END

About WWF-India: WWF-India is one India’s leading conservation organizations with programmes and projects spread across the country. The organization works for the conservation of biodiversity, natural habitats and the reduction of humanity’s ecological footprint. WWF-India acts to stop degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. For further information visit: www.wwfindia.org

About PATA India Chapter: The PATA India Chapter is the largest PATA Chapter with an Executive Committee which is fully engaged with carrying the mission of PATA forward. This year the highlight has been the PATA Travel Mart in New Delhi which is the association's signature event and returns to India after only 3 years. The Chapter has played a pivotal role as an interface in all the screening, planning and programming for this event which also threw up an ideal opportunity for re-initiating the PATA/ WWF Award for Tiger Conservation which will be awarded at a Lunch function further BOD on 10 September 2011.

The PATA India Roadshow to U K and Ireland was planned as early as November 2010.The itinerary and events was shared with PATA members. 19 member organizations –Tour operators and hoteliers represented the Indian travel contingent which was led by Shri RH Khwaja, Secretary Tourism and Chairman PATA India Chapter, as well as Shri Sultan Ahmed , honourable Minister of State for Tourism.

A consultant, Debbie Walker was hired to mine databases and to ensure that the U K and Irish travel trade (with an interest in India and potential) were well represented at all 5 chosen destinations-London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and Dublin. The cities had been determined on the basis of markets that were likely to produce growing business/traffic to India. The programme was approved by the Ministry of Tourism and dates finalized 06th June – 16th June 2011.

Main Highlights:
1. At all destinations the order of events was as follows:

• Open Networking Session between participants and guests over drinks
• Welcome Speech by Shri Sultan Ahmed MOS
• Address by Shri R H Khwaja, Secretary Tourism and Chairman PATA India Chapter
• Presentation on India
• Cultural programme in Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham
• Dinner
• Prize Draw

2. The events were well attended by the U K and Irish travel trade and the roadshow participants got adequate opportunity at all places to network and establish professional relationships,that will hopefully lead to further business in the future.

Feedback from guests was actively sought at the end of all the events and we are pleased to report that they enjoyed the hospitality and presentations and thought that the event had been professionally productive.

Door prizes from Creative Travels in Birmingham

Group Photograph of Roadshow 2011 Participants