Guwahati: Dr. Panjit Basumatary, a renowned veterinarian and the head of the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC), was honoured with the esteemed ‘Animal Welfare Field Veterinary Award’ at the 24th International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Animal Action Awards in London, United Kingdom on Thursday.
Dr. Basumatary, a native of Kokrajhar in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam, was honoured for his outstanding contributions to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
The IFAW Animal Action Awards celebrate the unsung heroes of animal welfare, honouring individuals who dedicate their lives to the protection and conservation of wildlife.
Basumatary has dedicated 14 years of service to the Wildlife Trust of India, tirelessly rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing distressed and injured wild animals.
He has taken care of approximately 3,000 animals across over 250 species, including mammals, reptiles, and birds, throughout his career. A significant accomplishment includes hand-raising 26 orphaned Greater One-horned Rhino calves at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga, many of whom were successfully reintroduced into the wild.
Dr. Basumatary currently oversees the CBRC, India’s sole facility dedicated to nurturing and rehabilitating orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs. Nestled within the Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh, the CBRC has successfully rehabilitated and released over 60 bear cubs into their natural habitats since its establishment in 2002 by the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, Wildlife Trust of India and IFAW.
This remarkable achievement highlights the centre’s significant contribution to wildlife conservation in the region.
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Additionally, he has published multiple scientific papers on issues related to the rehabilitation and release of wild animals.
Actor, producer, eco-entrepreneur, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador & United Nations Secretary-General Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals, Dia Mirza Rekhi received the prestigious ‘Wildlife Advocate of the Year Award’ for her impactful contributions to wildlife conservation in India.
As an ambassador for WTI, Dia has been actively involved in numerous campaigns such as Gaj Yatra, which aims to raise awareness about elephant corridors and their critical right of passage in India.
