TOFTIGERS WILDLIFE TOURISM AWARD 2023

TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Award 2023

TOFTigers, in association with Sanctuary Nature Foundation, have combined to bring together the 6th TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards 2023. The theme this year is ‘Recognising and Rewarding – The Good Work of Individuals, Business and Communities’. The Awards aim to highlight and reward the very best in the nature tourism field; those individuals, naturalists, businesses, Environment supporters, Wildlife photographer, Wildlife Filmaker, service providers and community enterprises who are leading the way in wilderness destinations in the Indian subcontinent. Each in their own way will be pioneering new ways to support and inspire wildlife conservation, engage local communities and help restoration of wildlife habitat through their vision, drive and actions.

Judging Panel

Julian Matthews

Mr. Julian Matthews

Founder of TOFTigers. He has worked for two decades in the Indian Subcontinent to rewild and conserve the Indian forests through the TOFTigers campaign and bring awareness to the travel trade community. Currently he is doing rewilding in UK. He founded in the early 1990’s a safari and conservation travel business, Discovery Initiatives, now part of the Steppes Travel Group.

Bittu Sahgal

Mr. Bittu Sahgal

Mr. Sahgal, Founder – Sanctuary Nature Foundation & Editor Sanctuary Asia magazine, India’s foremost magazine on nature, wildlife, conservation, and the environment, is a highly regarded author, editor, and conservationist in India. With a deep commitment to raising awareness, he has published a multitude of impactful works, including coffee table books showcasing India’s national parks and sanctuaries.

Dr. Anish Andheria

Dr. Anish Andheria

Conservation Photographer and President, Wildlife Conservation Trust, Dr. Anish Andheria is a wildlife photographer of repute and a Carl Zeiss Conservation Awardee. Packed with a lifetime of experiences. Member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA); Member of the State Boards of Wildlife of Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir.

Praveen Pardeshi

Mr. Praveen Pardeshi

With 38 years of experience in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Mr. Pardeshi has served in various senior executive roles. He is an avid wildlife enthusiast who has severed as the Principal Secretary, Revenue and Forest. He has always Pushed for forest conservation while ensuring livelihoods for tribal people dwelling in the forests.

Philippa J. Kaye

Ms. Philippa J. Kaye

Founder and CEO of Indian Experiences and product and destination development specialist with a focus on sustainability. Philippa has spent 25 years curating and designing off-beat, high-end experiences and advising sustainable ventures.

She is also co-founder of Be There Do Good – Learning Journeys for the Eco-Curious & author of “Escape to India”.

Naut Kusters

Mr. Naut Kusters

Founding director of ECEAT- European Centre for Eco and Agro Tourism and Head of Travelife for Tour Operators, Mr. Kusters is an experienced professional with a diverse background with expertise in rural and sustainable tourism with a focus on a business-led approach.

Sponsor States

Uttar Pradesh Tourism
Uttar Pradesh Tourism
Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Madhya Pradesh Tourism

Award Sponsors

Sponsor of The Billy Arjan Singh Memorial Award for Best Wildlife Guide of the Year 2023

Wildlife Trails
Wildlife Trails

Sponsor of Wildlife Tourism Related Community Initiative of the Year 2023

Jehan Numa Group of Hotels
Jehan Numa Group of Hotels

Sponsor of Wildlife and Tourism Initiative of the Year 2023

Abercrombie & Kent
Abercrombie & Kent

Sponsor of Lodge Naturalist of the Year 2023

Rare India
Rare India

Organisation Support

Adavi Alert Foundation

Adavi Alert Foundation

Adavi Alert Foundation (AAF) is a dedicated Not-for-Profit Organization focused on wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and the well-being of forest communities. Since its establishment in 1999, AAF has actively addressed challenges like habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and forest staff welfare. Through workshops, collaborations, and awareness campaigns, AAF contributes to positive societal transformation. By partnering with governmental and non-governmental entities, AAF maximizes its impact and fosters enduring change. Initiatives encompass mitigating human-wildlife conflict, supporting forest frontline staff, and collecting conflict data. AAF collaborates with the Karnataka Forest Department for projects spanning tiger reserves, resource hubs, and awareness programs, promoting coexistence and conservation.

WeNaturalist

WeNaturalists

WeNaturalists is a global ecosystem where professionals and organizations can find digital solutions in Climate Action, SDGs, and ESG. WeNaturalists’ digital solutions are crafted to bring scalability, accountability, transparency, and efficiency to the development sector to manage communities and projects. It helps organisations and individuals raise funds directly into their account. All this at zero maintenance with an easy-to-use interface. User permissions, privacy management, and multiple admins are among the few features that help to manage larger teams.

Premier Media Partner

Sanctuary Nature Foundation
Sanctuary Nature Foundation

Supported By

Nippon Paints
Nippon Paints

Supported By

Indri

Supported By

Erdinger

B2B Participants

Taj Safaris
Taj Safaris
Pugdundee Safaris : Kings Lodge
Pugdundee Safaris
Samode Hotels Private Limited
Samode Hotels
Bagh Vilas
Bagh Vilas
Brij Hotels
Brij Hotels
Jungle Camps India
Jungle Camps India
Forsyth Lodge
Forsyth Lodge
Ultra Resorts & Hotels
Ultra Resorts & Hotels
Red Coral
Red Coral Lodges & Mountains
Mela Kothi Chambal Safari
Mela Kothi Chambal Safari
Gir Lion Safari Camp
Gir Lion Safari Camp
Yellow Light Hospitality
Yellow Light Hospitality
Sterling Holidays
Sterling Holidays
Jehan Numa Group of Hotels
Jehan Numa Group of Hotels
Tamara Leisure Experiences
Syna Hotels & Resorts
Aahana - The Corbett Wilderness

Supporting Media

Outlook Traveller
Outlook Traveller
BOTT - Business Of Travel Trade
BOTT - Business Of Travel Trade
Travel Turtle
Travel Turtle
Dusty Food Productions
Dusty Food Productions
Maxposure Media Group
Maxposure Media Group
Musafir Media Hub
Musafir Media Hub
Travel Heights
Travel Heights
Travreviews
Travreviews
Travel Span
Travel Span
Dusty Food Productions
Dusty Food Productions