The recent 5th Royal Ranthambore International Tiger Week (ITW) 2026 marked a memorable occasion for Wildlife SOS. The prestigious Tiger Protection and Anti-Poaching Excellence Award was presented to Wildlife SOS and our Co-Founder and CEO, Mr. Kartick Satyanarayan. Over the course of the two-day conservation event that took place from June 26 to 28, leading policymakers, wildlife experts, and forest officials gathered to deliberate on protecting the country’s national heritage. The event was inaugurated by Justice Shri Dharmesh Sharma, former Judge of the Delhi High Court, while former Punjab Governor Shri V.P. Singh Badnore attended as the Guest of Honour and Chairman of the Awards Jury to present the prestigious accolades.
Wildlife SOS was honoured with the excellence award as a recognition of their relentless anti-poaching and tiger protection efforts. During the event’s Frontline Protection session, Kartick delivered a compelling insight into effective wildlife conservation strategies. This was followed by an engaging Q&A session with the audience and forest department, reflecting Wildlife SOS’s commitment to collaborative and community driven approaches to safeguarding India’s wildlife.
Organised by Live4Freedom LLP, the ITW serves as a unique platform that recognises the tremendous work of individuals, organisations, and institutions towards society and wildlife conservation. Eminent personalities who were recipients of this year’s esteemed awards include Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who was honoured for the eco-friendly design of NH-44 through the Pench Tiger Reserve, and Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who received the Tiger Conservation Leadership Award. Other prominent awards included WWF-India Secretary and CEO Ravi Singh, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside dedicated forest wardens, journalists and photographers.
Another key highlight of the conclave was the “Six Legendary Tigers of India” session, which paid tribute to iconic tigers namely, Machli, Maya, Dollar, Charger, Paro, and Collarwali, for their contribution to conservation. Other informative sessions like “Responsible Safari” brought experts like Antaraa Chatterjee, Digital Editor of Outlook Traveller, Dr. Anish Andheria, President and CEO, Wildlife Conservation Trust, Dr. Latika Nath, Conservation Ecologist, Author and Photographer, and Rahul Singh, Actor, Screenwriter and Producer, to discuss ethical tourism, frontline recognition, and the important role of cinema in environmental awareness.
The conclave concluded with a Sunday morning tiger safari. The event was warmly acknowledged by several dignitaries, including Justice Dhramesh Sharma who remarked, “The talk by Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO of Wildlife SOS, on anti-poaching and tiger conservation was an eye-opener. I can see that the judiciary can provide more prosecution support for tiger protection and anti-poaching efforts in India. I wish Wildlife SOS and the International Tiger Week all the very best for their conservation efforts.”
Wildlife SOS is truly honoured by this esteemed recognition and is incredibly grateful to Live4Freedom LLP and the collaborating organisations and agencies for conducting such a successful and significant event. We will continue the fight against poaching and keep the power of joining hands with communities and other organisations alive. This award is a national acknowledgement that motivates the entire team of Wildlife SOS to continue defending the voiceless and protecting India’s precious wildlife for generations to come.
Feature image: Wildlife SOS
