Jaipur/IBNS-CMEDIA: She was known as the “Lady of the Lakes” — the legendary tigress Machhli of Ranthambhore, whose fish-shaped facial marking, fearless crocodile kills, and extraordinary 19-year reign over one of Rajasthan’s most magnificent wildlife reserves made her a global icon of conservation.
Today, her spirit lives on — not just in the tigers that carry her lineage, but in the dedicated men and women who walk the forests every day to protect them.
The Sixth Edition of the Machhli & Vanya Prani Mitra Awards, presented jointly by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF) and WWF-India, will be held on Monday, 23 March 2026, at the ITC Rajputana Hotel, Jaipur — honouring a new cohort of wildlife champions who embody that same spirit of courage and coexistence.
Six Years of Celebrating Wildlife’s Unsung Heroes
Now in its sixth year, the awards programme has grown into one of India’s most respected platforms for recognising frontline forest staff and community conservation workers. The Machhli Award — named after Ranthambhore’s most celebrated tigress, whose popularity between 1998 and 2009 helped generate nearly US$100 million for India’s tourism economy — recognises exceptional contributions by field staff of the Rajasthan Forest Department.
The Vanya Prani Mitra Award honours those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to managing human–wildlife conflict, one of the most complex and underappreciated challenges in conservation.
This year’s ceremony marks a significant expansion: the awards will be held in both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, with the Prabha Khaitan Foundation allocating a total prize fund of approximately INR 10 lakh across both states.
In Rajasthan, four winners will share a prize pool of INR 2.5 lakh under the Machhli Award category, while three winners will share INR 1.5 lakh under the Vanya Prani Mitra Award category. All recipients will also be honoured with certificates of appreciation.
Voices of the Initiative
“True conservation lies not just in policies, but in the sustained efforts of individuals who selflessly work to protect our natural heritage. Through the Machhli and Vanya Prani Mitra Awards, we seek to honour these unsung heroes whose courage, commitment, and compassion ensure a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
“Our continued partnership with WWF-India reflects a shared vision to recognise and encourage such impactful work across the country,” said Sundeep Bhutoria, Managing Trustee, Prabha Khaitan Foundation.
“These awards honour the champions who play an exemplary role in the preservation of India’s wildlife. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Prabha Khaitan Foundation for their partnership.
“This recognition will inspire the field staff of the Rajasthan Forest Department to continue their crucial work in protecting and conserving the state’s wildlife and habitats,” said Dr Dipankar Ghosh, Senior Director – Biodiversity Conservation, WWF-India.
“The dedication and courage of our field staff and conservationists form the backbone of wildlife protection in the state. Recognitions such as the Machhli and Vanya Prani Mitra Awards not only honour their tireless efforts but also inspire many others to work towards safeguarding our forests and fostering harmonious coexistence between communities and wildlife.
“Kudos to the Prabha Khaitan Foundation and WWF-India for this commendable initiative,” said Arijit Banerjee, Head of Forest Force (HOFF), Rajasthan
Why These Awards Matter
India’s forests are home to some of the world’s most endangered species — and the survival of these ecosystems rests, in large measure, on the shoulders of forest guards, rangers, and community workers who operate far from public view, often in challenging terrain and under difficult conditions. From monitoring tiger movements at Ranthambhore to mediating conflict at the boundary between farmland and jungle, these individuals are the first and last line of defence for India’s biodiversity.
The Machhli Awards, first instituted in 2020, were conceived precisely to bridge this recognition gap. Named after a tigress whose own life became a testament to resilience and the power of a single creature to inspire millions, the awards carry deep symbolic resonance in the conservation community. As the programme now expands to Madhya Pradesh — another tiger-rich state — its reach reflects the growing recognition that wildlife conservation is a national imperative, and those who drive it deserve national acknowledgement.
About the Organisations
Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF) is a Kolkata-based cultural and philanthropic organisation committed to celebrating India’s art, literature, and heritage, while supporting impactful social and conservation initiatives across the country.
WWF-India is one of India’s leading conservation organisations, working across landscapes, species, and communities to ensure a living planet for future generations.
