♦ Assam's eminent conservation scientist Bibhab Kumar Talukdar was awarded ‘The Harry Messel Award’ for Conservation Leadership by the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

♦ The award was presented to him at the 5th IUCN SSC Leaders' Meeting that is underway in Abu Dhabi.

♦ The award has been presented for Talukdar's contribution to species Conservation on the ground and through leadership, as part of the work of the Species Survival Commission.

♦ He has been associated with IUCN SSC since 1991 and became the Chair of the Asian Rhino Specialist Group in 2008.

♦ He was also a member of the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife, Government of India from July 2007 until May 2010 a member of the Project Elephant Steering Committee, during 2010-12, and the Committee for the Formulation of National Wildlife Action Plan for 2017-2031.