Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has made history by becoming the first Indian to receive the prestigious Kenton R. Miller Award for Innovation in Protected Area Management. The award, presented by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), was conferred at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi in October 2025.
Ghosh was recognised for her pioneering conservation efforts, which skillfully integrate community engagement, traditional ecological knowledge, and modern scientific practices — a model that has proven successful in managing the biodiversity-rich landscapes of Kaziranga and Manas.
About the Kenton R. Miller Award
Established in 2006, the Kenton R. Miller Award is one of the highest recognitions in the field of protected area management. It is presented biennially to individuals or teams who demonstrate innovative approaches in areas such as governance, finance, policy, capacity building, and on-ground management of protected areas.
Awardees must show significant impact, peer recognition, and originality in addressing key conservation challenges — including poaching, climate change, invasive species, and resource constraints — without having received major international awards in the past.
Role of the WCPA and IUCN
The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is one of six technical commissions of the IUCN, a global body founded in 1948 to promote nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. The WCPA focuses specifically on improving the management and governance of protected areas, including national parks, wildlife reserves, and marine sanctuaries, through expert guidance, strategic planning, and policy support.
Sonali Ghosh’s Conservation Model
Dr. Ghosh’s leadership in conservation has set a benchmark for protected area management in India. Her work emphasizes:
Community-led conservation
Public awareness programmes
Blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern science
Her model has been particularly effective in Kaziranga and Manas, helping safeguard critically endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros, while also preserving lesser-known biodiversity such as native insect and spider populations.
Why Kaziranga Matters
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park is globally known for its thriving population of one-horned rhinoceroses, along with tigers, elephants, and other rare species. However, the park faces threats from poaching, habitat loss, and climate impacts. Under Ghosh’s leadership, Kaziranga has seen strengthened conservation efforts, with a greater emphasis on sustainability, local involvement, and adaptive management.
Past Recipients and Global Context
The Kenton R. Miller Award has previously honoured conservation leaders from across the world, including:
Burung Indonesia – for avian conservation strategies
Nizar Youssef Hani (Lebanon) – for ecosystem restoration
Maria Del Carmen Garcia Rivas (Mexico) – for marine protected area governance
In 2025, Ghosh shares the honour with Roque Simón Sevilla Larrea of Ecuador, recognised for integrating environmental sustainability into business practices.
This milestone not only celebrates Dr. Sonali Ghosh’s individual achievements but also underscores India’s growing leadership in global conservation efforts.