Range Forest Officer Bunty Tao of the Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit district has been honoured by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for his exceptional work in wildlife protection and anti-poaching activities.
The award was presented by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi on Wednesday, as part of the International Tiger Day celebrations. Tao’s dedication and outstanding service towards wildlife conservation and protection were recognised through this award.
Tao expressed his gratitude to his department, senior officers, colleagues, and frontline staff, stating that he could not have succeeded without their support. He also said that the recognition has strengthened his resolve to uphold his responsibilities.
Notably, Tao is the first and only recipient of this prestigious award from Arunachal Pradesh and the only Range Forest Officer from the eastern zone to receive the honour. Awardees from eight states and 12 tiger reserves, including Bihar and West Bengal, were recognised at the event.
Tao has a distinguished record in conservation, having played a key role in the discovery of the impressed tortoise in India in 2019. He has also written about indigenous conservation practices, particularly those related to hornbills. Currently, he serves as the elected president of the Ranger Federation of Asia, representing 22 Asian nations.
Tao’s achievements have been recognised internationally, having represented India as an indigenous ranger at the 9th World Ranger Congress in Nepal in 2019 and served as a panel member at the 2nd Asia Parks Congress in Malaysia in 2022.
