TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards

in association with SANCTUARY NATURE FOUNDATION

Friday, 6th December 2024 | Bikaner House, New Delhi | 6.00pm Onwards

Information for Applicants, Rules and Nomination Form

TOFTigers, in association with Sanctuary Nature Foundation, has partnered to bring together the 7th TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards 2024. The theme this year is “Celebrating Harmony: Fostering Sustainable Wildlife Tourism through Innovation and Collaboration“.

The Awards aim to highlight and reward the very best in the nature tourism field; those individuals, park management, naturalists, businesses, environment supporters, wildlife photographer, wildlife filmmaker, 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 restore wildlife habitat through their vision, drive and actions.

Please note: Applications can be made by anyone. You can nominate your own lodge, business, yourself or your enterprise or project, or others can do this for you.

Notes *Nomination Apply ** Jury Award

A) The John Wakefield Memorial Award for Most Inspirational Lodge of the Year 2024 * – The lodge must cater for visitors who intend to have nature-based experiences in India & Nepal. All round excellence is what PUG & FOOTPRINT stands for and an inspirational place to stay. Open to all fully paid-up TOFTigers PUG & Footprint rated-members including runners up-from previous Awards. Rising star category is for lodges opened in last three years and are certified and showing strong ethics for sustainability initiatives.

Awards are presented in each of the below category:

• PUG Outstanding Category
• PUG Quality Category
• FOOTPRINT Category
• Rising star Category

Note: This year, we will have only a Winner category, with no Runners-up category as in previous years.

B) The Billy Arjan Singh Memorial Award for Wildlife Guide of the Year 2024* – Open to a Park Guide (including runners up from previous Awards) who must be working in, or for, a park that is recognized as a tiger habitat and must have worked there for at least two years prior to the closing date for entries.

Awards will be presented in four regional categories, representing the North, South, East, and West regions of India.

C) Wildlife Promotion Company of the Year 2024* – This Award is only open to Destination Management Companies with a registered office in India and Nepal (including runners up from previous Awards). The company must be a fully registered TOFTigers contributor. Our judging panel will be looking at how the company promotes sustainable practices.

D) Wildlife Tourism Community Initiative of the Year 2024* – Nominations are open to any community-related initiative connected with tourism in parks where there are tigers or other endangered species. The definition of what constitutes a Community Initiative will be decided at the absolute discretion of the judges but for general guidance, it would be expected that ownership of the initiative would reside within the local community (5kms. radius of the project). Nominations must be supported by at least one lodge catering for tiger-watching tourists and the lodge does not need to be part of TOFTigers.

E) Wildlife and Tourism Initiative of the Year 2024*- This is a very wide category intended to encourage innovative thinking around wildlife tourism in the Indian subcontinent. The projects need not be related to tigers but should be capable of application in tiger areas.

F) International Wildlife Tour Operator 2024* – This Award is only open to International Tour Operators with a registered office in their respective country and they must be a fully registered TOFTigers contributor. Our judging panel will be looking at how your approach supports our mission with an opportunity for your clients to nominate you. Runners-up from previous Awards can apply also winners after three years.

G) Wildlife Conservation Photography Award 2024* – This award aims to highlight the beauty and diversity of wildlife in these regions, while raising awareness about the urgent need to protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems. The award is open to amateur and professional photographers of all ages from around the world. We encourage entries that depict a wide range of species, from the well-known to the obscure, highlighting the rich biodiversity of these regions.

Submission Guidelines:

• Each participant can submit one photograph.
• Photograph must be high-resolution (minimum of 300 dpi) and in JPEG format.
• A brief description (not more than 100 words) should accompany each photograph, explaining the context and conservation message.
• Submissions must be original and the photographer’s own work.

H) Wildlife Conservation Documentary Award 2024* – This category emphasizes the documentary that effectively transports viewers into the heart of wildlife habitats, offering a compelling narrative that educates, inspires, and raises awareness about the importance of conservation and protection of wildlife in India and Nepal. This award aims to recognize and promote filmmakers who use their craft to inspire change and raise awareness about the urgent need to protect wildlife and their habitats.

The award is open to documentary filmmakers from around the globe. We welcome entries that explore a variety of themes, including endangered species, habitat preservation, human-wildlife conflict, and innovative conservation strategies.

Submission Guidelines:

• Documentaries should be no longer than 40 minutes.
• Entries must be submitted in high-definition digital format.
• Each submission should include a brief synopsis (not more than 100 words) and a director’s statement outlining the conservation message.
• Submissions must be original works created by the entrant.

I) Lodge Naturalist of the Year 2024* – Open to a TOFT Lodge Naturalist (including runners-up from previous Awards) who must be working in, or for, a lodge that is recognized as a tiger habitat and must have worked there for at least two years prior to the closing date for entries.

(Category will receive nominations for Winners & Runners Up as well).

J) Wildlife Harmony Homestay Awards* – This prestigious accolade recognizes exceptional homestays that demonstrate a deep commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable practices. From fostering coexistence with local flora and fauna to promoting ecofriendly tourism, these homestays provide a unique and immersive experience that harmonizes with nature’s beauty. These homestays preferably owned by local people who are reaping the benefit of tourism. This award is open to non-TOFT supporters too.

Four Awards will be given under this category including Nepal.

K) Kailash Sankhala Visitor Friendly Wildlife National Park of the Year 2024** –  This category recognises the outstanding contributions of National Parks who have made a prominent difference to the wildlife habitats in their region and celebrate the rich biodiversity of the state. We seek to recognise the profound commitment to conservation, protection of biodiversity, and responsible tourism practices within the wildlife destinations This category is open to any park that has tigers within its boundaries and where sightings have been documented in the six months prior to the closing date for nominations (including runners up from previous Awards). The park does not have to be currently covered by TOFTigers but must be able to highlight its efforts to work with and use tourism more effectively for conservation and support.

L) Sanctuary Asia Award for “Best State for Sustainable Wildlife Tourism.”** – This category recognises the outstanding contributions of State Tourisms who have made a prominent difference to the wildlife habitats in their region and celebrate the rich biodiversity of the state. We seek to recognise the profound commitment to conservation, protection of biodiversity, and responsible tourism practices within the wildlife destinations. Nominees of this award must exhibit innovative approaches to minimize ecological impact, foster community engagement, and create immersive experiences for visitors to become stewards of the environment.

M) Climate Guardian* – The Guardians of the Climate Award recognizes outstanding efforts in combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability in India and Nepal National Parks. This award honours individuals, organizations, and communities that have made significant contributions to mitigating the impacts of climate change through innovative practices, awareness campaigns, and sustainable initiatives. The award is open to individuals, non-profits, educational institutions, businesses, and community groups from around the world.

Submission Guidelines:

Nominees must submit a detailed project report (500 words) outlining their climate action initiatives, objectives, and results. Supporting materials such as photos, videos, and testimonials are encouraged. A brief biography or organizational profile, highlighting previous achievements in sustainability and climate action.

Notes:

*Nomination Apply ** Jury Award

1. Certificates to be awarded to all the shortlisted Nominees.
2. Winners who received the award three years ago in any category are eligible to reapply.
3. Free entry will be given to all the winners along with one of their representatives.

Rules

1. By entering the Awards the applicants agree to be bound by the rules.
2. The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into in relation to any shortlisting or judging decision.
3. The judges, in their absolute discretion, may decide not to make an Award if they believe no entrant is of sufficient quality to meet the requirements of the Awards.
4. Applications must be made on the official TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards Application Form.
5. Applicants may be asked to submit further information as part of the judging process. Failure to provide this information within the timescale stipulated at the time of the request may invalidate the application. No correspondence will be entered into in relation to such a decision to invalidate a nomination.
6. In certain categories, the judges will require the applicant to supply independent references; where such are requested these must be completed in the format requested and provided within the timescale stipulated.
7. Connections and associations (e.g. financial, family relationships, employment, etc.) with the nominee will not invalidate an application but must be declared on the initial application. Failure to declare such interest will invalidate an application.
8. Whilst information contained within application forms and assessments will be treated as far as possible as confidential, the organisers accept no responsibility for loss or damage should any information become public knowledge at any time.
9. 1. Applicants agree that if they are short-listed this decision will be made public, together with outline details of their project. In addition, in some categories, a short film report may be made of the nominees and their project. The applicants agree to cooperate in such filming and to be filmed and that such film may be used to promote the Awards as the organisers may decide. Such uses may include web, broadcast television, DVD, or other medium and may also be shown at the Awards. All material is the sole property of TOFTigers.
   2. At the sole discretion of TOFTigers, TOFTigers can use all materials provided for Awards’ promotions and publicity. TOFTigers does not however guarantee promotion of any winner or finalist.
10. Applicants consent to their images, trademarks, logos etc. being made public in promotional material related to the Awards and this may include press, web, radio or broadcast. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all photo permissions are in place and to provide details of any photo credits required.
11. Awards may be withdrawn in the event that information subsequently becomes available to show that information provided at the time of judging was incorrect or unavailable and that such information had it been available would have made the Award inappropriate.
12. Winners of cash prizes agree to be bound by the conditions stipulated in the individual Awards with regard to acceptable uses for such cash prizes.
13. Where appropriate, the organisers may arrange for the money due in cash prizes to be paid only when appropriate invoices, and or, receipts are available, and or, that the organisers are satisfied that the goods, services etc. to be provided to the person, community, organisation, or group have in fact been supplied.
14. In the case of cash prizes, the organisers’ decision that the conditions described in Clause 12 have been fulfilled will be at the organisers’ absolute discretion and no correspondence on its decisions in regard to these clauses will be entered into.
15. No responsibility is accepted by the organisers for any application submitted by email but not received by the organisers. Applicants concerned about whether an application has been received have to make their own enquiries to ensure their applications have been received.
16. The organisers can terminate one or more of the Awards if they see fit or shorten or curtail the Awards ceremony should circumstances prevail that do not allow it to continue.

Useful Contact

TOFTigers India A1/76, 1st Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi – 110029 (INDIA) +91-11-4100 6608 | awards@toftindia.org