Sanctuary - RBS Wildlife Awards announces Earth Heroes 2008

For the ninth consecutive year, the Sanctuary-RBS Wildlife Awards honors those who have dedicated their lives in conserving our country’s rich natural heritage and have worked towards protecting our planet. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS), along with Sanctuary Asia, announced the Earth Heroes 2008 today. These awardees were selected from a vast number of nominations received from across the country, including passionate and committed conservationists, NGOs, government officers, lawyers, journalists and academicians.

Speaking on the occasion, Meera Sanyal, Country Executive, ABN AMRO, said, "The Sanctuary RBS Wildlife Awards makes heroes of ordinary men and women who in the face of adversity have stood firm in protecting India's biodiversity and by doing so have made a difference to the world we live in. Our belief is that their efforts will have a lasting impression on generations to come. It is the passion, zeal and enthusiasm of our Earth Heroes that has inspired us to partner with Sanctuary Asia and bring these awards to you now for the ninth year consecutively."

Bittu Sahgal, Editor of Sanctuary Asia, echoed her sentiments saying, "With every passing day it is becoming clear that the real patriots are those who protect India's waters, soils and forests, because, with climate change upon us, the loss of these life-support systems will turn all human development into a mirage. Seen in this light, the Earth Heroes we are honouring are the true torch bearers of India's freedom movement."

Oft in the midst of noise and haste, one tends to forget that there is a battle going on, a quiet, stealthy battle waged against that which cannot speak in its own defence – Nature. Irreplaceable ecosystems are being lost, too many species are going extinct to keep count, and others are at the brink of extinction… flood and drought have become permanent ‘seasons’ across the globe. And in this face of aridity and hopelessness, we have Earth Heroes who give silent Nature a voice, risking their lives everyday for us. That is what makes them stand out, set them apart, out of the extraordinary! They give us hope for a better tomorrow. For our children, and our children’s children... For this, we honour them.