First Indian to Receive the Kenton R. Miller Award
Global Recognition for Kaziranga’s Conservation Leadership: Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian to win the Kenton R. Miller Award for innovation in sustainable protected area management. The award was conferred by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), a division under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), during a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi on October 10, 2025.
She shares the recognition with Roque Simón Sevilla Larrea of Ecuador, reflecting a shared global commitment to community-centered and ecologically inclusive conservation.
Static GK fact: The IUCN, founded in 1948, is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, and is one of the world’s most respected authorities on biodiversity and environmental policy.
About the Kenton R. Miller Award
The Kenton R. Miller Award celebrates innovation and leadership in the management of protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves. Named after Dr. Kenton R. Miller, a pioneering conservationist, the award acknowledges transformative contributions that strengthen the sustainable use of natural resources.
The WCPA, which administers the award, is one of six technical commissions of the IUCN, bringing together experts, researchers, and field conservationists from across the globe to improve global biodiversity protection strategies.
Static GK Tip: India has over 900 protected areas, covering nearly 5% of the country’s total geographical area.
Sonali Ghosh’s Conservation Model
Dr. Ghosh’s award-winning approach integrates traditional ecological knowledge, modern scientific practices, and local community participation. Her model focuses on grassroots conservation, ensuring that local communities act as partners in protecting biodiversity.
This participatory framework has enhanced conservation outcomes in Kaziranga and Manas, both in Assam, where fragile ecosystems require balanced management of wildlife and human needs.
Her leadership emphasizes resilience and inclusivity, turning conservation into a shared responsibility rather than an administrative task.
Significance for India and Assam
Dr. Ghosh’s recognition marks a global endorsement of India’s commitment to sustainable conservation. Assam’s role as a biodiversity hotspot gains renewed focus, highlighting the region’s successful coexistence of people and wildlife.
This achievement underscores the importance of women leadership in environmental governance and sets a benchmark for eco-sensitive management. Her work provides a replicable framework for conservation efforts in other regions of India and across developing nations facing similar ecological challenges.
Static GK fact: Kaziranga National Park, established in 1905, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more than 70% of the world’s one-horned rhinoceroses.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Global Recognition for Kaziranga’s Conservation Leadership:
| Topic | Detail |
| Award Name | Kenton R. Miller Award |
| Recipient | Dr. Sonali Ghosh |
| Position | Director, Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve |
| Awarded By | World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) under IUCN |
| Event Venue | Abu Dhabi |
| Date of Award | October 10, 2025 |
| Co-recipient | Roque Simón Sevilla Larrea, Ecuador |
| Park Location | Assam, India |
| UNESCO Tag Year | 1985 |
| Importance | Promotes sustainable and community-led conservation models |
