The C. P. R. Environmental Education Centre received the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar for the year 1996 in September 2000. The award instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests is presented every year to individuals and organisations, who have contributed significantly towards environmental protection. The award includes a silver lotus trophy, a citation and a cash prize of Rupees One Lakh.

Using the cash award as corpus, the Board of Governors of the C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre decided to institute an annual C. P. R. Environmental Education Centre Award for Environmental Education. The annual award is given to a teacher, who has contributed to the field of environmental education, preferably from a rural area. The award consists of a silver plaque, a citation, as well as a cash prize.

The seventh award function was held on August 18, 2007. Dr.M.S.Swaminathan, Chairman, CPREEC, gave away the C. P. R. Environmental Education Centre Award for Environmental Education - 2007 to Shri. Swaraj Kumar Kanhar, Headmaster-Incharge, Ambajhari U.G.M.E. School, Ambajhari (Boudh District), Orissa.

Shri. Swaraj Kumar Kanhar is a dedicated environmental conservationist in Boudh District of Orissa. He has done yeoman service to protect the forests, wildlife and environment since 1987. He has organised several awareness camps and seminars on prevention of forest fires. Shri. Kanhar has motivated the local students and tribes to conserve nature by organizing several awareness programmes. His efforts to protect and expand forests and conserve biodibversity are commendable. He has helped people during times of distress by providing medical assistance to those affected by fires and floods.