1994 Dr. Nikolay Nikolayevich Drozdov
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Glossary on Kalinga Prize Laureates UNESCO Kalinga Prize Winner – 1994 Dr. Nikolay Nikolayevich Drozdov Prolific Environmental Writer, World Renowned Biogeographer & Probably the Most Well Known Personality in Russia. [Born : 20th June, 1937 in Moscow———] 1 Glossary on Kalinga Prize Laureates 2 Glossary on Kalinga Prize Laureates Dr. Nikolai Nikolayevich Drozdov Recipient of the 1994 Kalinga Award for Popularisation of Science Short Biography Nikolay Nikolayevich Drozdov is probably the most well known person in Russia. Not only is he a cult-figure among the older generations; he is also much loved by Russian youngsters. It is not often that parent’s tastes coincide with the taste of their children. Nikolay N. Drozdov is an exception to that rule. He is a TV presenter, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor of the Moscow State University and Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences! One can easily recognize the voice of Nikolay Drozdov, as we have known it since we were kids. His warmth and the Passionate interest that he shows to even the tiniest bug in the TV program “The World of Animals” are his trademarks. He has been the presenter of this program for over 30 years, and it continues to be very popular among the viewers. Generations have been raised on Nikolay Drozdov’s animal tales, and he has gained lots of awards and recognition both in Russia and abroad, for these much loved programs and films, that he continues to make day by day. Nikolay Nikolayevich is very active in public work. He is also a member of the commission of International Unity of Nature Protection, an author of over 20 books and one of a fifteen advisers to the General Secretary of the UN on ecology, a member of Academy of Science of New York and a member of International Research Club, an academician of Russian Academy of Television, a laureate of Golden Panda Award (also known as the Green Oscar) and the Kalinga prizewinner. He has traveled round the world on scientific vessels twice and took part in hundreds of expeditions. He is a dedicated vegetarian. The love he feels for animals, the same love Nikolay Drozed feels for people. He gives the best he can to vulnerable people who find themselves in difficulties, especially children. Drozdov believes that if a baby feels loved, it is much more likely to become a good rounded responsible adult regardless of all the afflictions and struggles it would have come through. Therefore, Nikolay Nikolayevich does everything he can to protect them from suffering, as his life motto is “All you need is to feel an urgent desire to help people in every way you can”. Contd... 3 Glossary on Kalinga Prize Laureates Life Motto of Nikolai Drozdov Born in Moscow in 1937, Nikolai Drozdov graduated In the World of Animals. This highly popular one from Moscow University in 1963. He undertook post- hour programme on animal life in the vast CIS graduate training in Biogeography in 1964-68 and territory is watched by approximately 200 million did his doctorate in 1968 on the Ornithofauna of the viewers . Recently, his six-part PBS television series deserts of the USSR. – Realms of the Russian Bear – has also received In 1971-72 he worked as a Research Fellow at the wide acclaim. He has authored or co-authored a Australian National University (Canberra) and number of video and TV films on nature and animals published a book called The Flight of the Boomerang and been on the jury of several films festivals and about his journey through Australia, about animals, television programmes devoted to the same subject. nature and nature conservation. It instantly became In 1992 he won the Golden Panda for outstanding a bestseller and over 100,000 copies of its two achievement at the Wildscreen Festival in Bristol. editions published in 1980 and 1988 were sold out within a couple of weeks of its release. In 1989 he was included in the Global 500, a list drawn up by the United Nations Environment One of the many scientific expeditions in which Dr Programme of the world’s leading ecologists and Drozdov has taken part is UNESCO’s Man and specialists in Environmental Protection. Biosphere project on the “Conservation and Rational Use of the Island Ecosystem Resources”. This four- Presently Associate Professor of Biogeography at month expedition on board the scientific research Moscow State University, Dr Drozdov is a prolific ship Callisto was held on the Pacific Islands of Tonga writer . His publications include 23 books and 183 and Samoa. research papers in biology, geography and nature For the last twenty-three years Dr Drozdov has been conservation as well as text books and educational presenting a bi-monthly television programme called manuals for schoolchildren, students and teachers. q 4 Glossary on Kalinga Prize Laureates Dr. Nikolai Drozdov - A Profile Par Excellence Narrator of Programme “Animal Planet” (V mire zhivotnikh) Dr. Nikolai Nikolayevich Drozdov, Associate Professor of Biogeography at Moscow State University, has been awarded the Kalinga Prize for science popularization, for the year 1994. The Kalinga Prize was instituted by UNESCO by India’s Shri Biju Patnaik, Founder and Chairman of the Kalinga Foundation Trust. The Prize is awarded every year to a person who has, as a writer, editor, lecturer, radio/TV programme director, or film producer, made exceptional contribution in the field of science popularization, and who also has an understanding of the role of science and technology and general research in the solution of problems of humanity , enrichment of the cultural heritage of nations and improvements in the welfare of the common people. 1994 award winner, Dr. Drozdov is a prolific writer. His publications include 23 books and 183 research papers in biology, geography and nature conservation as well as text books and educational manuals for school children, students and teachers. For the last twenty three years Dr. Drozdov has been presenting a bimonthly television programme called “In the world of animals”. Contd... 5 Glossary on Kalinga Prize Laureates “Internet- a great network that has overwhelmed the book on his travels called” Flight of Boomerang”. soul of human race. If this force can help creating The book has been published 5 times so far. kindness, wisdom & superior soul & intellect, then Since 1968 till date – for more than 30 years he has this could be the best thing that one can ever been taking part in the popular television programme perceive. I am still in the process of learning it. Would “Animal Planet” (V Mire zhivotnikh), at first as a like to get into this network & find the possibility to narrator along with Alexander Mikhailovich Zguridi make this a better intelligent & fertile network which and since 1977 as anchor as well as author of the will bring people more happiness & fortune. The goal programme. Nikolai Drozdov is author and co-author of internal should not be confined only to getting of many tele and video films on nature and animals. information, but also to spread happiness of human In 1995, the programme “V mire zhivotnikh” was interaction”. awarded the prestigious TEFI award as best in the Biography: educational and informative category. Drozdov was elected as member of Russian Academy of Nikolai Nikolaivich Drozdov was born on 20th June, Television in 1996. As part of the group of 1937 in Moscow. While still studying in school, mountaineers he conquered the Elbrus peark in during summer vactions he used to tend horses in the horse breeding center in the Moscow suburbs. 1979. He took part in a four month long UNESCO After completing school, Nikolai joined the biology expedition on “conservation and rational use of department of Moscow State University named after resources in island eco systems” on the USSR M.V. Lomonosov. He completed the Biogeography Academy of Science’s vessel “Calisto” and travelled stream under the geography department of MSU in through islands of Fiji, Tonga & Samoa in 1980. In 1963. In 1968, he presented his pre-PhD papers in 1993 & 1995, he took part in the expedition to North Bio-geography. As of date he works in the Pole on the Russian ice-breaker “Yamal” along North Biogeography stream in the department of Sea route and also in the ship “Discoverer” along Geography at the Moscow State University. In the the coast of Alaska & Canada. In 2002, he took year 2000 he presented his research papers on part in the expedition to the North Pole repeating “Animal planet and conservation of nature in the the feat of Papalin’s landing. Nikolai Drozdov is the deserts of the world”. In 2001, he was made professor author of about 200 scientific & popular scientific of the department. works, more than 20 books, text books and guides for students as well as teachers. Nikalai Drozdov happens to be one of the most recognized scientists and respected techer in the In 1989, Drozdov has been included to the Moscow State University. He gives lectures on distinguished list of leading ecologists and ecology, ornithology, conservation of nature, the bio- specialists in the field of environmental conservation geographic world & constantly invited to give talks of the world-UNEP’s “Global-500”. In 1992, he was in the schools & youth recreation centers sponsored awarded with “Golden Panda” (also, known as by “Knowledge” (Znanie). As a researcher, far east, “Green Oscar”) for his great achievements in the Kuril Islands, Pamir, Tyanshan Ranges, Karakum Bristol (UK) Film Festival on nature. In 1994, he to name a few. During 1971-72, he underwent a ten was elected as a member to the international month scientific course in the department of zoology researchers’ club known as Explores’ Club.