The TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards 2016, in association with Sanctuary Asia and Outlook Traveller with state partner, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, were held at a Gala Dinner on the 23rd September in the gardens of the British High Commissioner’s residence. The theme of the evening was ‘Rewilding’ and this was reflected in many of the awards on the evening.
The winners and runners up were:
The Billy Arjan Singh Memorial Award for Wildlife Guide of the Year 2016
- Winner: Radhika Prasad Omre from Madla, Panna Tiger Reserve
- Runner up: Vinod Gulab Uike – Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
Lodge Naturalist of the Year 2016
- Winner: Dhan Bahadur Tamang, Tiger Tops, Chitwan in Nepal
- Joint Runners up: Surya Ramachandran, Singinawa Jungle Lodge, Kanha and Mittal Gala – Khem Vilas, Ranthambhore
Dr Chuck McDougal Visitor Friendly Wildlife Destination of the Year 2016
- Joint winners: Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra
- Runner up: Kali Tiger Reserve, Karnataka
Wildlife and Tourism Initiative of the Year 2016
- Winner: Jabarkhet Nature Reserve in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
- Runner up: Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Wildlife Tourism Related Community Initiative 2016
- Winner: Pakke Jungle Camp with Help Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh
- Runner up: Flame of the Forest – Women’s health care project in Kanha, MP
International Tour Operator of the Year 2016
- Winner: Exodus Travel from London, United Kingdom
- Runner up: On the Go Tours, United Kingdom
Wildlife Promotion Company of the Year 2016
- Winner: Abercrombie & Kent India
- Runner up: Travel Inn, New Delhi
Up and Coming Excellence in Nature Award 2016
- Winner: Mela Kothi, The Chambal Safari Lodge, Chambal, Uttar Pradesh
- Runner up: Red Earth, Kabini, Karnataka
The John Wakefield Memorial Award for Most Inspirational Eco Lodge of the Year 2016
- Joint winners: Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh and Singinawa
- Runner up: Kanha Earth Lodge, Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
You can watch a speech by Indian tiger expert Valmik Thapar, from the evening:
To find out more information and the Awards winners, visit TOFTigers website.
