Satpuda Landscape Tiger Partnership (SLTP) has selected Dr gajanan D Muratkar, A Botanist and University Professor from Chikhaldara, for the 2022 SLTP Conservation Hero Award in appreciation of his invaluable grassland conservation efforts in Central India landscape to mark World Earth Day on Friday.
The award includes a cheque for Rs 25,000/- and a certificate. A Professor in the Sipna Education Society;s Arts, Science and Commerce College, Dr Muratkar is popularly known as a ‘Grass Man of India’ among the forest staff and has pioneered a meadow development technique in which he involves the field level forest staff to identify the local grasses, prepare a seed bank, create mother beds and introduce local grasses systematically to develop meadows. This technique was developed by him in one of the India’s oldest tiger reserves, Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district in 2012, informed Kishor Rithe, President of Satpuda Foundation.
He has used this technique to eradicate weeds and create such meadows in other tiger reserves and protected areas of Maharashtra and various other states. Dr Muratkar is also a recipient of Sanctuary Green Teacher Award in 2013.
