India’s Green Heroes Shine at Eco Warrior Awards 2025

New Delhi, India: The capital witnessed an inspiring celebration of sustainability and innovation as the Eco Warrior Awards 2025 and the 3rd Eco Warrior Conclave brought together India’s finest conservationists, forest officers, and green innovators this evening. Organised by Indian Masterminds, a leading digital platform spotlighting changemakers and civil servants, in collaboration with the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Association, the gala honoured extraordinary individuals and groundbreaking initiatives that are reshaping India’s environmental future.

Remembering Forest Martyrs and Inspiring New Generations

The evening began with a moving tribute on National Forest Martyrs’ Day, commemorating those who laid down their lives to protect India’s forests and wildlife. Senior IFS officers, corporate leaders, and conservationists reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding nature.

Mr Bharat Lal, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), graced the event as Chief Guest, alongside dignitaries from the Indian Forest Service. Special eco-icons like Ramveer Tanwar – Pondman of India and Rohit Mehra – Green Man of India reinforced the spirit of grassroots environmentalism.

Union Minister’s Green Message

Although Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav could not attend due to an urgent programme with the Prime Minister, he addressed the gathering through a video message. Praising the IFS officers, he said:

“Our forest officers work tirelessly, day and night, to maintain a harmonious balance with nature. The Eco Warrior Awards, since their inception in 2023, have become a beacon of hope, encouraging innovation in tackling human-wildlife conflict, conserving water bodies, and protecting endangered species. Ecology and economy must grow hand in hand.”

Thought-Provoking Panels and Wildlife Photography

The Eco Warrior Conclave 2025 featured two dynamic panel sessions:

• Eco-Tourism for the Future, chaired by IFS officers, highlighted sustainable tourism as a tool for conservation.
• Awakening Collective Environmental Consciousness, led by IFS officers, urged communities to turn awareness into tangible green action.

A wildlife photography exhibition by acclaimed photographer Mohd Aslam Warisi mesmerised attendees with rare glimpses of India’s untamed beauty.

Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Winners – India’s Green Trailblazers

The spotlight of the night shone on champions of conservation:

• Dr. H.S. Singh, Former PCCF, Gujarat – Lifetime Achievement Award
• IFS Sonali Ghosh, Field Director, Kaziranga National Park – Wildlife Conservation Award
• IFS Parveen Kaswan, DFO Jaldapara – Wildlife Protection Award
• IFS Irfan Rasool Wani, CCF Kashmir – Forest Protection Award
• IFS K.M. Abharna, CASFOS – Community Connect Award
• IFS Dr. S.K. Srivastava, Gujarat – Best Use of Technology Award

Innovative projects also earned accolades:

• Project Cheetah, accepted by Uttam Kumar Sharma, Kuno National Park
• Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, received by Sunil Chaudhary, PCCF Uttar Pradesh

Corporate sustainability champions including GAIL India, Indian Oil, and Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd. received special honours for their environmental leadership, while HPCL, NTPC, and NBCC India Ltd. were lauded for their continued support of India’s green initiatives.

A Night of Reflection and Resolve

A special E-book and AV launch chronicled the Eco Warrior Awards’ journey from 2023 to 2025. In his keynote, Chief Guest Bharat Lal urged India to embrace “long-term ecological stewardship as a moral responsibility and a national duty.”

As the evening drew to a close with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Sharad Gupta, Editor of Indian Masterminds, the platform’s mission shone through, to amplify the voices of eco-leaders and civil servants redefining India’s sustainable future. With strong support from leading public sector enterprises, the Eco Warrior Awards 2025 reinforced that India’s green heroes, from frontline forest officers to grassroots innovators, are building a legacy of conservation that promises ecological balance and national growth.