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BREAKING
NEWS Hornbill
champion gets world awards
A Mahidol
University avian researcher who has dedicated her life to
re-feathering the nests of Thailand's endangered exotic hornbills
has netted two world awards on natural preservation for her
dedication to the cause of hornbill preservation in the south of
Thailand.
Professor Pilai Poonswad, a lecturer at Mahidol's
Faculty of Science, has received two international awards, the
Chevron Conservation Award for 2006 and the Rolex Award for
Enterprise.
Dedicating herself to hornbill preservation in
Thailand for over three decades, Dr Pilai is the first Thai to
receive the Chevron distinction, as the 52nd bearer of the title in
as many years.
She also received a 4.3 million baht cash
award and a special collection Rolex watch.
For the past 28
years, Ms Pilai, hailed as "The Mother of the Hornbill", has worked
to protect and revive hornbill nesting areas in Thailand's remote
jungle forests.
She encouraged hunters in the Budo National
Park in Narathiwat to stop hunting the endangered hornbill and
become hornbill conservationists instead. She also supports many
"Hornbill Loving Camps" dedicated to preserving the species.
Thirty-one types of hornbills are found in Asia, with 13
types in Thailand.
Two or three types found in Thailand are
endangered species, she said. The hornbill plays an important role
in dispersing seeds of wild plants and helping maintain the
ecological system in Asia's tropical forests.
The main
threats to the hornbill, bringing possible extinction, are hunters
and deforestation.
Ms Pilai established a hornbill foundation
to support researches on hornbills for conservation. The research
helped reverse the decline of hornbills and promote eco-tourism.
The Chevron Conservation Awards Programme recognises
outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations to the
conservation of natural resources around the
world.
Conservationists protecting oceans, rivers and
waterlands, a former president of the Wildlife Habitat Council, an
ornithologist protecting the Asian hornbill, and a non-profit
organisation helping to improve the environment for disadvantaged
communities in South Africa, were all honoured at the 52nd Chevron
Conservation Awards.
Founded by the late American outdoors
writer and conservationist Ed Zern in 1954 to recognise outstanding
contributions to the conservation of natural resources, the
international programme has honoured more than 1,000 volunteers,
conservation professionals and non profit organisations around the
world.
Chevron Conservation Awards honorees each receive a
$15,000 contribution towards their respective conservation efforts.
The annual awards, which are open to nominations from anyone
in the world, are judged by an independent panel of
conservationists. (TNA)
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