Port Blair, Feb 16: The family of Late Samir Acharya today presented the ‘Samir Acharya Memorial Award’ for conservation of coastal and island ecosystems. The award was presented by Smti. Geetanjali Acharya to Shri. Ashraf Hanif, S/o of Retd. Dy. Director Education Dr Leela Verghese at a function held at Ummat Public School. The award was presented in the presence of Shri. Rajesh Anand, the most generous philanthropist in the Islands, who also is a close associate and well-wisher of the Acharya family. Shri. Samir Acharya was a renowned environmentalist and dedicated his entire life to the islands. He was instrumental in the Supreme Court order of 2002 on the ban of sea sand mining, ban on deforestation and ban on influx of non-islanders.

Samir Acharya was awarded the Earth Hero title for his fight to protect the indigenous communities and one of his greatest achievements was the ban on introduction of exotic fish species to the Islands.

Ashraf Hanif, the recipient of the award this year was nominated and won over many other short listed candidates as Ashraf has been striving for the last 15 years to protect the fragile ecosystem of our Islands. His team of environmental crusaders collect garbage from the Islands, segregate it at his facility in Dollygunj, bail it into compressed form and then ship it to the mainland for recycling. No one else in the Islands has contributed so significantly towards island conservation.

He is a youth icon and an inspiration to the youth and children of these Islands. He reminds us that there are noble souls who love their motherland and strive to keep it clean.

During the ceremony, Shri. Rajesh Anand and Smti. Acharya donated some educational items to the Principal, Ummat Public School, Ms Selvi.

The function was coordinated by Samhita Veda Acharya, daughter of Late Samir Acharya, with support from Danesh, Sajit and Joji Simon who designed the award.