Bengaluru: Dr.  Mirza Vaseem, Veterinarian at Bandipur National Tiger Reserve, has been selected for the prestigious ‘Gaj Gaurav’ Award for his outstanding service in wildlife conservation.

The award is presented by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Project Tiger and Elephant Division on the occasion of World Elephant Day to honour frontline workers in wildlife conservation.

“This is for the first time that an Officer from Karnataka is receiving this award which is encouraging,” said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF-Wildlife) Subhash K. Malkhede.

In February 2023, Dr. Mirza Vaseem had put in a lot of efforts to save the life of an elephant which was electrocuted and recognising his service, Additional PCCF Kumar Pushkar had nominated the name of Dr. Mirza Vaseem for the award.

World Elephant Day will be celebrated on Aug. 12 at Angul in Mahanadi Elephant Reserve at Odisha.