Honouring those who dedicate their lives
to protecting Bhutan's pristine natural heritage.
The JSW-OESA is conferred once every two years in honour of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo's selfless service and farsighted environmental leadership.
It honours individuals, groups, and institutions from all backgrounds for a lifetime of contribution towards ensuring the security and sustainability of Bhutan's pristine environment — particularly those who have gone beyond the normal call of duty in their service towards environmental protection.
Conferred every two years, coinciding with BES Annual Research Symposia and significant national dates.
Open to individuals, communities and institutions — recognising the full spectrum of environmental stewardship.
Conferred under the Royal Patronage of HRH Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck, Bhutan Ecological Society.
A sustained, lifelong commitment to environmental protection and conservation beyond professional duty.
Exemplary acts of dedication that surpass ordinary expectations in service to Bhutan's environment.
Open to individuals, groups, and institutions from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Contributions that have demonstrably strengthened Bhutan's environmental security and sustainability.
Forester, Dept. of Forests & Park Services · UWICE
Re-discovered Bhutan's national butterfly, Ludlow's Swallowtail, 76 years after it was last recorded. Published landmark books on butterflies and moths of Bhutan.
Dept. of Forests & Park Services · 40+ Years
Instrumental in establishing Bhutan's system of protected areas and led the design of biological corridor networks across the country.
Principal Research Officer · RNRC, Mongar
Pioneered low-cost electric fencing to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Developed IoT-enabled drip irrigation systems to improve farmer livelihoods.
Dean · College of Natural Resources, RUB
Avid naturalist and author of the seminal "Orchids of Bhutan" — pioneering the documentation of Bhutan's extraordinary botanical heritage.
Chief of Research & Education · UWICE
Bhutan's foremost ornithologist, tirelessly documenting the incredible diversity of birds — recording sounds, behaviours and expanding the national bird catalogue.
"The Green Man" · Ministry of Agriculture & Forests
Planted over 10,000 saplings since primary school in the 1970s. Organised Bhutan's first civic cleaning campaigns and fought forest fires since 2000.
Ethnobotanist · Dept. of Forests & Park Services
One of Bhutan's foremost ethnobotanists, pioneering research into the cultural values and uses of Bhutan's extraordinarily rich plant life.
Dept. of Forests & Park Services
At great personal risk, seized tiger skins, musk pods, leopard skins, elephant tusks and live contraband — defending Bhutan's biodiversity on the front lines.
Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN)
Champion of the White-bellied Heron. WWF Abraham Conservation Award (1997) recipient. Author of two landmark conservation field books on Bhutan's biodiversity.
Founder · Royal Society for Protection of Nature
Founded RSPN in 1987 — Bhutan's first homegrown environmental NGO. A cornerstone of Bhutan's conservation movement for over three decades.
World's First Environmental Trust Fund
Over 25 years, BTF sustained Bhutan's protected area network and funded critical conservation programmes — the world's pioneering environmental trust fund.
Know someone who has dedicated their life to protecting Bhutan's environment? Help us recognise the unsung guardians of our natural heritage.
Obtain the official JSW-OESA nomination form from our team via the contact section.
Clearly describe the nominee's lifetime environmental contributions and how they exceed the call of duty.
Send your completed nomination to JSW-OESA before the announced deadline.
Reach out via the contact form and our team will guide you through the nomination process.
HRH Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck
Bhutan Ecological Society
Conferred biennially — next edition 2024/2025
Open to all individuals, communities and institutions across Bhutan.