Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, a well-known Assam-based conservation scientist, was awarded the prestigious Harry Messel Award for Conservation Leadership by the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently. The award was presented to him at the 5th IUCN SSC Leaders' Meeting in Abu Dhabi, attended by more than 3,000 experts on conservation to focus on the pressing biodiversity and climate change crises around the world.

The award will hence recognize Dr Talukdar's tremendous contribution not only towards direct on-ground species conservation but also strategic leadership under the aegis of the IUCN's Species Survival Commission. Having started his association with IUCN in 1991, he became Chair for the Asian Rhino Specialist Group in 2008. His leadership has been most instrumental in mobilizing conservation efforts across Asia particularly for the Asian rhinos.

Dr. Talukdar has been able to begin a significant amount of conservation work, such as organizing three consensus Asian Rhino Range States meetings. The meetings took place in Indonesia, India, and Nepal, with the help of relevant national ministries and conservation agencies of the country. It was through his efforts that more Asian countries came together to coordinate efforts in protecting and conserving three endangered species of Asian rhinos.

In addition to his work with IUCN, Dr. Talukdar is the Founder and CEO of Aaranyak-a leading biodiversity conservation organization based in Guwahati, North East India. Under his leadership, Aaranyak has undertaken several research-based conservation projects across the region. He has also been invited by Indonesian conservation authorities for providing expert guidance on managing and preserving critically endangered Javan and Sumatran rhinos.

Dr. Talukdar is associated with the wildlife of India as well. He was a member of the Standing Committee of India's National Board of Wildlife during 2007-2010, and he also offered his valuable input to the Project Elephant Steering Committee during 2010-2012. He was also part of the formulating committee for India's National Wildlife Action Plan for 2017–2031 as well. He has contributed to Assam's Indian Rhino Vision 2020 project through the translocation of 22 wild rhinos from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga National Park into Manas National Park between 2008 and 2022.

At the professional front, he has published over 70 scientific papers and coordinated over 60 conservation projects over the last 25 years. Such involvement with the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment for the Eastern Himalaya from 2002 to 2004 underlines his commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable management.

Such recognition by the SSC of IUCN for the ongoing impact in global conservation, particularly in securing Asia's rhino populations, and pushing the frontiers in the general protection of biodiversity, speaks well of the legacy left behind by Dr. Talukdar.