Pune: Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forests from the Junnar forest division, and noted wildlife biologist and conservation practitioner Prajakta Hushangabadkar will receive the ‘Jungle Belles Women of the Wild Award – 2026’ for their outstanding contribution to wildlife conservation, a statement issued by Jungle Belles said.City-based wildlife enthusiasts Hemangi Vartak and Sanjay Deshpande have taken the lead in instituting this award for recognising the contribution of women in wildlife conservation and the award is in the form of a memento and a cash prize of Rs 25,000 each.This is the second consecutive year of the award. Jungle Belles is an organisation that works towards creating awareness about the importance of forests and wildlife conservation among women and children.The award would be presented during a specially organised function in the city to be held at Deccan Gymkhana on Oct 6 as a part of Wildlife Week celebration. Medha Kulkarni, Rajya Sabha MP and the chairperson of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Forests, Climate Change and Environment, would be the chief guest for the award ceremony. Ashish Thakare (IFS), chief conservator of forests, Pune, will also be present on the occasion.The award selection committee comprised former forester Sunil Limaye (IFS), Ashish Thakare (IFS) and renowned wildlife conservationist Anuj Khare.Smita Rajhans is currently serving at the Junnar forest division of Pune district and has made notable contributions in managing leopard-human conflict, rehabilitation of leopard cubs, special rescue and capture operations, and addressing leopard habitation in sugarcane fields. She has been instrumental in the successful reunion of 54 leopard cubs with their mothers and has been involved in more than 50 leopard rescue operations.Prajakta Hushangabadkar is a renowned wildlife biologist and conservation practitioner. She has made significant contributions to understanding and helping manage human-wildlife conflict in India, conservation of tigers and other large carnivores along with their monitoring and research. She works as the network coordinator at the Network for Conserving Central India (NCCI). Here, she is involved in strengthening the connections between research, conservation practice, and people.
