From left: Sanjay Deshpande, Hemangi Vartak, Ashish Thakre, Prajakta Hushangabadkar, Smita Rajhans, Neeta Kulkarni and Sunil Limaye
Smita Rajhans, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Junnar Forest Division, and Prajakta Hushangabadkar, wildlife biologist and conservation activist, were felicitated with the JungleBells Woman of the Wild 2026 award for their remarkable contribution to wildlife and nature conservation. The award consists of a trophy, a citation and Rs 25,000. In the Social Forestry Division, 28,000 students could be associated with the National Green Corps.
Smita Rajhans and Prajakta Hushangabadkar introduced their nature conservation work through audio-visual presentations.
She said that she feels happy that the number of women is now increasing significantly in all sectors. The occasion was a special programme organised by JungleBells on the occasion of Wildlife Week. The awards were presented by Pune’s Chief Conservator of Forests Ashish Thakre (IFS). Former Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sunil Limaye, Neeta Kulkarni, Hemangi Vartak and Sanjay Deshpande were present on the occasion. Smita, who is working in the Junnar Forest Division in Pune district, has worked on leopard-human conflict management, rehabilitation of leopard cubs, special rescue and capture operations and challenges related to leopards living in sugarcane fields. Prajakta is engaged in understanding and managing human-wildlife conflict in the country, conservation of carnivores and research. Smita Rajhans mentioned that for them, every week is Wildlife Week. She mentioned that a tiger considered the tree-covered area developed and conserved by them as its habitat, which was an acknowledgement of its success. She mentioned that nature conservation and preservation work by the Forest Department is being carried out through protection, preservation, management, remaining sensitive during times of conflict and the responsibility of the leopard rescue centre. Prajakta observed that including local communities in the methodology of conservation work is proving to be the right approach. Sanjay Deshpande of Sanjeevani Developers expressed the feeling that although he is working in the construction sector, he considers it his responsibility to support nature conservation initiatives to the best of his ability.
Pune: If mutual sensitivity and appropriate caution are exercised, human-wildlife conflict can be easily avoided and coexistence of both is possible, asserted women who have made significant contributions to nature conservation on Tuesday here.