[ Prem Chetry ]

DELHI/BOMDILA, 31 Jul: Range Forest Officer (RFO) Bunty Tao of the Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Wakro in Lohit district was honoured by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for excellence in wildlife protection and anti-poaching activities at a ceremony held in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In recognition of Tao’s relentless dedication and outstanding service towards wildlife conservation and protection, the award was presented by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on the occasion of the International Tiger Day celebrations.

When contacted, Tao said, “I dedicate this award to my department, and I extend my gratitude to my senior officers, colleagues, and frontline staff. Without them, I would not have succeeded in my fieldwork.”

He added: “This recognition has not only rewarded my dedication to my job but has also strengthened my resolve to uphold the responsibilities entrusted to me.”

Tao is the first and only recipient of this prestigious award from the state and the only RFO from the eastern zone to receive the honour.

Awardees from eight states and 12 tiger reserves, including Bihar and West Bengal, were awarded at the event.

It is worth mentioning that Tao is one of the country’s well-known frontline conservation officers. In June 2019, while he was posted under the Hapoli forest division in Lower Subansiri district, he played a key role in the first recorded discovery of Manouria impressa (the impressed tortoise) in India. He has also written on indigenous conservation practices, particularly those related to hornbills.

Tao has been serving as the elected president of the Ranger Federation of Asia, representing 22 Asian nations, since December 2023. He represented India as an indigenous ranger at the 9th World Ranger Congress held in Nepal in 2019, and also served as a panel member at the 2nd Asia Parks Congress held in Malaysia in 2022.