Bollywood actor-producer and passionate environmentalist Dia Mirza lit up London recently as she accepted the prestigious ‘Wildlife Advocate of the Year’ award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on 17 October 2024.
In a glamorous ceremony at the iconic BAFTA headquarters, Dia was celebrated for her extraordinary contributions to wildlife conservation, marking yet another milestone in her inspiring journey as a global advocate for nature.
Having developed a love of nature growing up, Dia has become the voice of environmental and wildlife conservation in India and a torchbearer for causes related to nature. Dia was appointed as the United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador for India in 2017, extended until 2022, spreading the message on issues such as climate change, clean air, and wildlife protection.
Now in its 24th year, the prestigious annual Animal Action Awards put a spotlight on the world’s unsung heroes of conservation and animal welfare. This year’s awards will herald those who have made an impact with their fresh thinking and bold actions that make a difference for animals, people and the places we call home.
This year’s awards ceremony, at the BAFTA, London, will be presented by wildlife presenter and cameraman, Hamza Yassin, known for BBC shows including Countryfile, Strictly Come Dancing and Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey.
Dia Mirza reflected on the recognition she received and the deeper significance it holds. “It’s a very kind recognition, and I’m incredibly grateful for it,” Dia expressed.
However, she emphasised that such acknowledgments should serve as a catalyst for others to take action. In her view, everyone has a voice, and those with platforms, particularly public personalities, bear a unique responsibility.
“When you’re a public figure and a film actor, you have the tremendous opportunity to engage with millions, not just in your own country but across the world,” she said. This reach, she believes, should be leveraged to inspire others to champion critical causes, especially planetary stewardship.
Dia considers one of the greatest privileges of her life to be the ability to use her voice to share the stories of environmental heroes.
“I’ve had the opportunity to bring attention to the extraordinary work happening on the ground in India and around the world,” she said.
Whether it’s highlighting the efforts of forest guards, rangers, or veterinarians, she has made it her mission to showcase the tireless efforts in wildlife conservation and forest protection. For Dia, this is not just a passing commitment; it is a lifelong pursuit.
“This work started for me over two decades ago, and it will continue until my last breath,” she declared, underscoring the deep personal connection she has to this cause. She feels it is her duty to campaign for wildlife protection and environmental action, recognizing the urgency and critical importance of these issues.
Moreover, Dia pointed out the interconnectedness of biodiversity, human health, and societal progress. Protecting wildlife and conserving the environment are essential to ensuring a healthier and more equitable future for all.
“The more people understand how biodiversity protection and wildlife conservation are linked to human health, peace, and progress, the more they will be mobilised into action,” she noted.
Dia Mirza’s passion for wildlife conservation and environmental action is deeply rooted in her childhood experiences. Reflecting on her early years, she recalls how time spent outdoors with her parents fostered a profound love for nature.
“I grew up climbing trees, watching the seasons change, and marvelling at birds building nests,” she reminisced. This connection with nature blossomed into a lifelong dedication to preserving wildlife and the environment.
However, a pivotal moment in her adult life truly solidified her commitment to conservation.
“The defining moment for me was when I was in Madhya Pradesh, part of a campaign to raise awareness about tiger conservation,” Dia explained. It was during this campaign, in her first experience in a forest as an adult, that she witnessed something extraordinary—a tigress on the hunt. “I was completely mesmerized by the magnificence of this animal,” she said, describing the awe and respect she felt in that moment.
But it wasn’t just the majesty of the tigress that moved her. Spending time with forest rangers, Dia gained an understanding of the challenges and risks they face daily.
“Their work environment is life-threatening, and the odds are often stacked against them,” she shared, adding that this experience opened her eyes to the incredible, yet largely unrecognized, work being done by conservationists on the ground. It became clear to her that these stories needed to be part of the mainstream conversation.
Dia emphasized the unique relationship India shares with its wildlife, noting that despite being the world’s most populous nation, India also supports an extraordinary biodiversity. “Culturally, socially, and ethically, we are deeply entwined with nature,” she observed. Yet, she expressed concern about the rising trend of wasteful consumption and capitalism, which is increasingly at odds with the sustainable ways people in India have lived for centuries.
For Dia, this connection to nature and the awareness of India’s delicate balance between human life and biodiversity are central to her mission.
“It’s important to use this love and understanding to redirect how people think and feel about the environment,” she stressed. Her goal is to evoke the environmental consciousness that she believes is intrinsic to society while bringing urgency to the conservation work that needs to be done.
In her view, it is not just about protecting wildlife—it’s about reawakening a deep-rooted respect for the planet that has always been part of India’s cultural fabric. And Dia Mirza is determined to ensure that more people recognize the critical role they play in preserving it.
In today’s digital age, children are often more exposed to gadgets and screens than to the natural world, and actor Dia Mirza, a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, is determined to change that for her own child. As a parent, she firmly believes in the importance of fostering a strong connection with nature from a young age.
“Every mental health expert is saying it now—the easiest way to harm our children’s health and well-being is to let them be consumed by gadgets and smartphones,” Dia stated.
For her, the detrimental effects of screen time on children are clear, which is why she has consciously kept her three-year-old son away from screens.
“Of course, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep him away from gadgets,” she admits, recognizing that as he grows, peer influence may change things. “But I’m hoping that by then, he’ll have discovered such a love for the outdoors that he’ll prefer it over a gadget.”
Dia’s approach to parenting revolves around immersing her son in nature every day. Whether it’s time spent in the park, their garden, or their plant-filled balcony in Mumbai, she ensures that his connection to the natural world is constant.
“We have birds visiting us every day, from coppersmith barbets to scaly-breasted munias,” she shared, noting that even in an apartment in a bustling city, it’s possible to bring biodiversity into daily life.
“Every morning, when the curtains go up, he looks out of his window and says, ‘Good morning, world. Good morning, plants. Good morning, birds.'”
These daily rituals, Dia believes, not only improve her son’s health and well-being but also nurture his empathy and sense of belonging to the Earth. “He could see a snake, a creepy crawly, or any creature, and his response would always be, ‘Hi, how are you? So nice to meet you,'” she shared.
Dia emphasizes that the greatest gift parents can give their children is the opportunity to spend time in nature. Ultimately, Dia believes that these early experiences with nature will guide her son’s relationships and interactions throughout his life.
“These are values that will shape how they connect with the world and with people,” she explained. By encouraging children to build a bond with nature, Dia believes parents are fostering a deeper understanding and respect for all life—an essential foundation for a kinder, more connected future.
Ultimately, Dia hopes that her work, and the recognition it receives, will inspire more people within her industry and beyond to take up the mantle of environmental advocacy.
“The planet needs it right now,” she concluded, emphasising the pressing need for collective action.
IFAW also recognised other extraordinary individuals, and one very special dog, who have made considerable contributions to animal conservation across the country.
Reid: a specialist detection dog from Liverpool who undertakes groundbreaking conservation work with owner Rachel Cripps.
Reid is a six-year-old springer spaniel, who works with his handler, Rachel Cripps for Biosecurity for Scotland, to safeguard endangered seabirds such as Atlantic puffins, great skuas and Leach’s storm petrels, earning him the Animal of the Year award from IFAW.
Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer: a driving force behind beaver restoration in Britain
Roisin is Head of Restoration with the Beaver Trust and has been instrumental in the rewilding of the animals, which now have official protected status.
Roisin commented: “I’ve got the privilege of working with this species on an individual level, which I never get tired of, but many people have been involved in this restoration journey, so I’d like to acknowledge them as well. The big thing that excites me about beavers is the landscape changes they can bring.”
Charles Emogor: a scientist on a mission to protect pangolins
The pangolin is a scaly mammal which is the world’s most trafficked animal. Charles is a PhD student from Cambridge and has been studying threats to the species since 2019, founding Pangolino – a global network of specialists looking to reverse the decline of the pangolin, shortly after.
The Animal Action Awards took place this year at the BAFTA, London, presented by wildlife presenter and cameraman, Hamza Yassin, on 17 October. For more information visit their website.
