Navegaon-Nagzira forest guard Umesh Kalsarpe selected for national wildlife conservation honour

Sakoli, October 31: There is a mood of celebration in the forest department of the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Project (NNTR). Umesh Bharat Kalsarpe, a forest guard working in the Navegaon Park range, has been selected for a national-level honour for outstanding contribution to wildlife protection and conservation. The official announcement was made in a press release issued by the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Sakoli.

The wildlife division of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had set up a special national selection committee. Its aim is to honour frontline forest staff and local communities who have done exceptional work in wildlife conservation. The committee held a high-level meeting on October 7, 2026, at which nominations received from states and Union Territories across the country were closely examined.

After a rigorous evaluation, the committee recommended the names of only eight outstanding individuals, groups and institutions from across the country in different categories. The competent authority gave its final approval to these names.

Kalsarpe has been selected in the category "Field Forest Staff - Wildlife Surveillance & Special Skills". In this category, he has been chosen from across the state of Maharashtra. The honour is said to be the result of his regular patrolling, close and accurate watch on wildlife movement, and highly challenging and important conservation work.

The achievement has brought pride not only to the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Project but to the entire Maharashtra Forest Department. All senior officers and staff of the forest department, including the project's Field Director Piyusha Jagtap, Deputy Director Pritamsingh Kodpe and Divisional Forest Officer Atul Deokar, have congratulated Kalsarpe. They have also sent their good wishes for his bright future and the journey ahead.

Forest officials believe the honour will inspire other frontline staff to work with even greater dedication to protect wildlife.