Two individuals and three institutions have been nominated for the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation, education, research and combating wildlife crimes.

The nominations were finalised under the National Wildlife Conservation Award Policy 2025, according to a notification issued on Thursday by the Forest-2 Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

According to the notification, wildlife researcher and conservationist Adnan Azad (Faisal Bin Azad) has been nominated for the award in the Wildlife Conservation (Individual Category).

In the Wildlife Conservation (Institution/Organisation Category), Nature Conservation Management (NACOM) has been selected for the national award.

Meanwhile, Prof Dr Sajeda Begum of the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University has been nominated in the Wildlife Education and Research (Individual Category).

The Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University has been selected for the award in the Wildlife Education and Research (Institution Category).

In addition, the Wildlife Crime Control Unit of the Forest Department has been nominated in the Forest Department Officials/Employees/Unit/Division Category for its role in wildlife conservation and suppression of wildlife-related crimes.

The awards recognise exceptional contributions made by individuals and organisations in protecting wildlife, advancing research and education, and strengthening efforts against wildlife trafficking and other wildlife-related offences.