Who are Barkha Subba and Parveen Shaikh, the Indian conservationists among this year’s ‘Green Oscars’ winners?

Barkha Subba, a conservation scientist from Darjeeling, has dedicated her career to protecting the Himalayan salamander, a small amphibian endemic to the region and Eastern Nepal. Once widespread, the species now occupies less than 50 hectares of its former habitat due to wetland destruction, erratic rainfall, and threats like the chytrid fungus. Subba, a scientific advisor with the Federation of Societies for Environmental Protection, focuses on restoring wetlands, removing invasive species, and engaging local communities to ensure salamander survival. Subba’s work reflects the broader importance of indicator species: though the Himalayan salamander lacks widespread recognition, its decline signals broader ecological threats. ‘They represent everything fragile and overlooked about our mountain ecosystems,’ she notes, emphasizing that safeguarding such species also protects forests, wetlands, and soil health. Meanwhile, Parveen Shaikh, a scientist with the Bombay Natural History Society, leads conservation efforts for the endangered Indian skimmer, a bird nesting along the Chambal River. Since 2016, Shaikh has spearheaded the Guardians of the Skimmer initiative, involving local communities in monitoring nests and deterring predators like feral dogs. The Chambal River, flowing through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, hosts around 3,000 skimmers, with populations doubling from 400 to over 1,000 due to these efforts. Both conservationists were honored with the 2024 Whitley Award, known as the ‘Green Oscars,’ for their grassroots work in the Global South. Subba’s community-focused approach has improved wetland conditions, while Shaikh’s initiative has boosted skimmer populations and provided seasonal employment for riverine communities. Their efforts highlight the critical role of local engagement in wildlife protection and ecosystem restoration.