The Times of India Report : Eco-tourism body bags national biodiversity award-2014

Mangalajodi Ecotourism, a community-driven initiative to protect the biodiversity has bagged the India Biodiversity Award 2014 for community stewardship. The award, instituted by the ministry of environment and forests and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was given to Mangalajodi Eco Tourism for its conservation efforts, creating alternative livelihood, community engagement and impact on the biodiversity. Niranjan Behera, a poacher turned conservator, said, "It was not easy for us to quit poaching. After we realized the importance of protecting the bio-diversity we dissuaded others and started an alternative livelihood with the help of ME." He went to Port Blair to receive the award comprising cash worth Rs 50,000, a trophy and a citation. Click here the link to read the detail information