Recently there was mainstream media in between all the din of election news that two Indian Women Conservationists won the Whitley Awards - also popularly known as the "Green Oscars" - at the near end of Earth Month (April, as Earth Day is April 22nd).
Parveen Shaikh, a scientist with the Bombay Natural History Society for her conservation efforts to protect the riverine bird the Indian Skinner, and Barkha Subba, a scientific advisor to the NGO the Federation of Societies for Environmental Protection for her work to protect the Himalayan Salamander in Darjeeling of West Bengal, were both honored at the Royal Geographic Society in London on April 29th, 2026 by Princess Anne.
The Wire and The Better India did wonderfully informative stories on these superwomen from India and beyond.
Dr. Kirthi K. Karanth, another Indian woman and scientist working to mitigate man-animal conflict was recognized as a National Geographic as its 2026 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year. In the time of the Climate Crises and increased Man-Animal Conflicts due to encroachment and unsustainable development of key animal habitats we need conservationists more than ever.
For 28 years, Krithi Karanth worked in the spaces most people avoid — where forests meet farms, and survival meets fear.
— The Better India (@thebetterindia) May 8, 2026
She didn’t see “Humans Vs Wildlife.”
She saw a broken relationship worth fixing.
Now, she is the first Indian to be named the 2026 Rolex National Geographic… pic.twitter.com/MeQ5oeIzWF
Internationally all six awards of what is purported to be the Green Nobels - the 6 Goldman Environmental Prizes went to six women - awarded in United States to environmental scientists, environmental activists, environmentalists and conservationists from across the globe.
There is a long history of community leadership and scientific study by women which has been impactful from the Chipko Movement of the hill state of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) in India to Jane Goodall, an amateur who became the voice of the voiceless creatures she observed and served.
As with all greats they are first misunderstood and then recognized and rewarded, if lucky in their lifetime. They face down the remorseless entrenched systems that exploit the world and consume its resources greedily.
These women and the many unrecognized and courageous grassroots and scientific conservationists are vital in preserving biodiversity and life on land and beyond (SDG 15). By recognizing the struggles of women scientists and environmental activist we give gender equality (SDG 5) a boost in a very challenging and male-dominated field which is overwhelmed by the onslaught of Big Interests, Big Power and Big Industry.
The reputation and experiences of Polish conservationist and "zoo-psychologist" Dr. Simone Kossak demonstrate this resistance to environmental conservation especially by women in the face of what is deemed "development". First dismissed as a witch and animal-whisperer, the daughter and granddaughter of established nationally revered artists, she chose to become a scientist and in 1971 started working in situ in the forests bordering Poland and Belarus in a hut without electricity and mod-cons to save endangered lynxes and wolves among other native species. She stood up to those exploiting the wildlife and natural resources and faced down big industrial interests at great personal and legal peril. Finally her efforts were recognized in addition to saving Life on Land (SDG 15) while also boosting Gender Equality in the scientific and conservation communities. A big win for sustainable development whenever it happens - recognition and gratitude to conservationists especially women scientists' community-level efforts to preserve nature.
Locals called her a witch. Animals followed her through the forest. A lynx slept beside her. A wild boar lived in her bed for 17 years. A crow stole official documents and shredded them on her roof. She lived 30 years in a wooden lodge with no electricity, confiscated illegal… pic.twitter.com/ZgYhw1amvb
— SubRosa )✿( Magick @subrosamagick.bsky.social (@SubRosaMagick) May 10, 2026
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