Photographer Bhushan Pandya to be honoured at Sanctuary Wildlife Awards

15/12/2015
Photographer Bhushan Pandya to be honoured at Sanctuary Wildlife Awards
The Indian Express
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/photographer-bhushan-pandya-to-be-honoured-at-sanctuary-wildlife-awards/
Wildlife photographer and conservationist Bhushan Pandya has been selected for 2015 spotlight honour by nature and conservation portal Sanctuary Asia.

In recognition of his conservation efforts through his lens, Sanctuary Asia will shine the spotlight on Pandya at Sanctuary Wildlife Awards ceremony to be held in Mumbai on Friday. The senior lensman, who will be seated in the auditorium for the awards ceremony, will come under the spotlight while telling the story of his wildlife conservation efforts to the audience.

"During the ceremony, we will also shine a spotlight on individuals who are in their own way making the country a better place for our children. The idea is to let the audience know that it does not matter who they are and where they come from. Each one of them too can make a difference. We are delighted that you have consented to allow us to shine a spotlight on you to showcase your work," Bittu Sahgal, editor of Sanctuary Asia stated in a letter to Pandya.

Sexagenarian Pandya, who is based in Rajkot has been shooting and recording Gir forest in Gujarat, the only natural habitat of endangered Asiatic lions in the world for the last three decades. He has also photographed a number of other national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India and Africa. He is also a member of state wildlife board of Gujarat.

 Appreciating Pandya's spirit even after near-fatal car accident two years ago, the letter further reads: "The car crash left you paralysed for months. But your spirit, the same one that quietly and with no trace of ego shares wildlife images and knowledge with anyone who asks, never wavered. Through the traumatic weeks of recovery, you have reiterated your commitment to wild India."

Pandya has partially recovered from the spinal-chord injury and started visiting Gir again around a year ago.