The Golden Ark Award honours creativity, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of species protection and conservation. Award winners receive €50.000 and a sculpture as a contribution to their excellent species conservation work. The Award, presented by the Golden Ark Foundation, The Netherlands, aims to reinforce the conservation work of the winners.

From the Golden Ark Award website: 
Dr. Charudutt Mishra (India) was given the Golden Ark Award 2008 because of his persistent and brave efforts to protect the snow leopard. Charudutt works with local pastoral communities to garner support for the conservation of the snow leopard and other Himalayan wildlife. Next to that, he has also been engaging with governments to help set up protected areas.