Assam scientist Bibhuti P Lahkar bags prestigious Neville Shulman Award

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 8, 2024

Assam’s renowned conservation scientist, Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, has been honoured as one of the recipients of the 2024/25 Neville Shulman Award by Earthwatch Europe, a prominent environmental organization.

Lahkar, a senior scientist with Aaranyak, a major Indian biodiversity conservation NGO, is the only Indian to receive the prestigious award this year, joining two other global recipients.

As the Head of Aaranyak’s Elephant Research and Conservation Division, Lahkar has devoted years to conserving Asian elephants and managing grassland ecosystems in the Northeast. His awarded project centres on empowering young researchers to drive future conservation efforts in Assam, aiming to equip and inspire the next generation to protect the region’s rich biodiversity.

Speaking on the recognition, Lahkar expressed gratitude to Earthwatch, saying, “I am interested in empowering and capacitating the youths who can be the future custodians of the rich biodiversity of Northeast India.”

The Neville Shulman Earthwatch Awards provide funding for environmental research that also enhances local community involvement. Earthwatch Europe’s official statement highlighted that this year’s recipients will focus on ecosystem health monitoring, restoration, and fostering community and youth participation in conservation.

The award particularly seeks early-career scientists working on areas such as climate change impacts, habitat loss, urban nature, and freshwater pollution. Dr. Lahkar’s project aligns with these themes, positioning him to make a significant impact on wildlife conservation in Assam.