TOFT Announces 8th Wildlife & Nature Tourism Awards 2025: Celebrating Rewilding Tourism and Community Empowerment

The Voice of Chandigarh News:

TOFT is pleased to announce the 8th edition of the Wildlife & Nature Tourism Awards, set to take place on December 12, 2025 , in partnership with the Sanctuary Nature Foundation. This year’s theme is Rewilding Tourism: Sustaining Nature, Empowering Communities. This year’s theme celebrates visionary tourism initiatives that contribute to the regeneration and protection of wild & nature while uplifting the communities that depend on it. At the heart of this category is the belief that responsible tourism can be a powerful force for Tiger conservation, environmental restoration and socio-economic empowerment. It honours projects that integrate conservation with meaningful local engagement—whether through community-led habitat restoration, indigenous stewardship, sustainable livelihoods, or nature-positive tourism models that ensure both people and planet flourish.

TOFT Wildlife & Nature Tourism Awards have played a crucial role in promoting responsible tourism and environmental stewardship within the travel trade community since its inception. These awards honor those who not only enhance the tourist experience but also make significant contributions to wildlife conservation and community welfare. They celebrate pioneers who innovate in supporting wildlife conservation, engaging local communities, and restoring wildlife habitats.

The awards will honour excellence in park management, naturalist guides, travel businesses, environmental and climate advocacy, wildlife photography and filmmaking, service providers, and community enterprises across India and Nepal.

There are sixteen categories of awards:

TOFT paid Supporters Awards

1. The John Wakefield Memorial Award for Most Inspirational Lodge of the Year 2025
   1. Outstanding Eco Lodge of the Year 2025
   1. Quality Eco Lodge of the Year 2025
   1. Footprint Eco Lodge of the Year 2025
2. Lodge Naturalist of the Year 2025
3. Wildlife Promotion Company of the Year 2025
4. International Wildlife Tour Operator 2025
5. Wildlife Harmony Homestay Awards

TOFT Environment & Forest Awards

1. The Billy Arjan Singh Memorial Award for Wildlife Guide of the Year 2025
2. Champion of the Forest of the Year 2025 (New Category)
3. Conservationist of the Year 2025 (New Category)
4. Climate Guardian of the Year 2025

TOFT Wildlife Awards

1. Most Inspirational “Rising Star” Eco Lodge of the Year 2025
2. Wildlife Tourism Community Initiative of the Year 2025
3. Wildlife and Tourism Initiative of the Year 2025
4. Sustainable Homestay Awards
5. Wildlife Conservation Photography Award 2025
6. Wildlife Conservation Documentary Award 2025

TOFT Jury Awards

1. Kailash Sankhala Visitor Friendly Wildlife National Park of the Year 2025
2. Sanctuary Asia Award for “Best State for Sustainable Wildlife Tourism.”

Online nominations are available here www.toftigers.org/awardsnomination