SHILLONG, Dec 12: Meghalaya’s renowned conservationist Betsida CH Marak was awarded the Green Guru Award at the 13th Balipara Foundation Awards, held on December 11 in Guwahati, in recognition of her tireless work to protect the western hoolock gibbon and promote community-led environmental stewardship in the Garo Hills.
The 13th edition of the awards celebrated exceptional contributions to wildlife conservation and environmental protection across Northeast India.
Alongside Marak, the Kaziranga King Cobra Team from Assam and H. Zhimo of Nagaland were also honoured for their field dedication and conservation achievements.
Since 2013, the Balipara Foundation has spotlighted and supported social entrepreneurs committed to preserving natural resources and restoring the Eastern Himalayas’ ecological balance.
A core member of the HURO Programme, Marak has dedicated over a decade to safeguarding one of India’s most threatened primates. Her work spans rehabilitation, habitat awareness and environmental education, creating a model that blends indigenous knowledge, scientific care, and active community participation.
Operating from her village of Silsotchigre, Marak leads conservation initiatives that have made her a pivotal figure in protecting the western hoolock gibbon.
Since joining the HURO Programme in 2010, she has overseen the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre, which houses the world’s largest rescued population of the species.
Gibbons rescued from poaching, captivity, and injury undergo a carefully monitored rehabilitation process, a strategy that saw a landmark success in 2016 when a rehabilitated pair was successfully released back into the wild. This achievement validated her scientific approach, rooted in cultural understanding and community involvement.
Marak’s conservation efforts extend beyond rescue operations. She actively engages households, youth groups and village leaders across Meghalaya’s fragmented forests, advocating for awareness and sustainable practices.
Drawing inspiration from Garo folklore, where the gibbon—locally called Huro—is revered as sacred, she works to strengthen ecological values and discourage hunting and habitat destruction, ensuring that conservation becomes a community-driven priority.
