TOFTigers Award 2016: Promoting the green thought

Giving recognition to the unsung heroes, 4th TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards 2016 honoured men and women working to restore the green cover of India and Nepal in multiple ways.
The evening, hosted by the British High Commissioner Dominic Asquith KCMG, had in attendance Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, acclaimed naturalist Valmik Thapar and chairman awards panel film maker Mike Pandey amongst others.
The awards, which were given in nine categories, also accompanied a prize upto Rs 75,000. Other than that, it also offers equipment to be used in tiger conservation or services for the benefit of destination or community.
"For forests to flourish we need communities support and people visiting wildlife areas. Never can this be achieved by foresters and government officials alone. That is why TOFTigers is a unique initiative and a step forward," said Kant, who is also the brain child behind 'Incredible India' campaign.

Thappar, the author of 14 books on wildlife, was unequivocal when he said: "Forest officials should step back; as they are not trained to manage tourism. If the future of Indian wildlife is to be saved, they are to be 33 per cent partner and not more. And let me say this again, future of Indian wildlife lies in wildlife tourism."
Optimistic about the future, founder TOFTigers, Julian Matthews said his mission is to start a new movement of support for nature conservation, local rural communities and re-wilding through the power of well-known nature tourism."
Supporting the TOFTigers movement British High Commissioner Dominic Asquith KCMG in his address said, "The awards are a curtain raiser for next year's focus especially when it is United Nation year of sustainable tourism.