Himachal Botanist Dr. Tara Devi Sen Receives “Senior Scientist Green Award” at Global Summit in Thailand.
Shimla:
Dr. Tara Devi Sen, Head of the Department of Botany at Vallabh Government College, Mandi, has brought global recognition to Himachal Pradesh by receiving the prestigious “Senior Scientist Green Award” at the 6th World Environment Summit held in Thailand from November 9 to 11. The international summit was jointly organized by the Environment and Social Development Association (ESDA) and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar College, University of Delhi, and witnessed the participation of leading environmentalists, scientists, academicians, and policymakers from across the world.
The award was presented to Dr. Sen by Dr. Amzath Ahmed, Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Republic of Maldives. The ceremony was attended by several distinguished global dignitaries, including Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand; Prof. P.B. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of Amity University; Dr. Anthony Fulfreth from the USA; and Dr. Ali Najeeb from the Maldives, making the recognition even more significant.
This year’s summit brought together over 430 delegates and 50 keynote speakers from 27 countries, such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nigeria, Australia, Ukraine, and the UAE. Conducted in both online and offline formats, the event served as a dynamic platform for sharing ideas on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and global ecological challenges.
Dr. Sen was honoured for her exceptional contributions to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, innovation in traditional and wild food systems, and environmental education. Her sustained efforts to promote the conservation and value addition of wild edible plants have been widely appreciated at national and international levels. Through her website, Himalayan Wild Food Plants, her YouTube channel, and ongoing engagement through social and print media, she has been actively spreading awareness about the ecological, nutritional, and economic importance of native wild species.
One of the distinctive aspects of Dr. Sen’s work is her community-driven approach. In collaboration with Self Help Groups (SHGs), farmers, students, local vendors, Rotary Club Mandi, and NGOs like Rise Up Mandi, she has been empowering rural communities by creating opportunities linked to food security, nutrition, sustainable livelihoods, and conservation-based entrepreneurship. Her initiatives have helped bridge the gap between traditional ecological knowledge and modern sustainability practices.
Dedicating the award to her parents, Man Singh Sen and Deepika Sen; her family; her mentor late Dr. Chiranjit Parmar; and the local community of Mandi, Dr. Sen expressed heartfelt gratitude for their constant encouragement. She said the recognition strengthens her commitment to continue working for a greener, more sustainable future.
With this global honour, Dr. Sen’s contributions have crossed national borders, positioning her as a leading advocate for climate-resilient plants and sustainable food systems. Her work continues to inspire communities and researchers worldwide, reaffirming the critical role of biodiversity conservation in addressing emerging environmental challenges.
