The Rolex Award will help to fund the establishment of automated weather stations at several key sites in India so we can actually contribute to the global monitoring of climate change and how it may affect us all," says Romulus Whitaker, the famed herpetologist, wildlife conservationist and founder of the Madras Snake Park, who has been selected as an Associate Laureate for the 2008 Rolex Awards in an email interview to btw. Moji Riba of Arunachal Pradesh too has been selected for this international programme which promotes original projects in the fields of science, technology, exploration, environment and cultural heritage.

For every series of the Awards, Swiss watch maker Rolex gives generous support to five Laureates and five Associate Laureates and has so far conferred the same to 110 laureates since it was established in 1976. For their new ventures or on completion of ongoing projects, the Laureates receive a financial award of $ 100,000 each, a gold Rolex chronometer, the benefits of official recognition via an awards ceremony and international publicity. Up to five Associate Laureates whose projects are judged to be particularly promising receive financial award and a steel-and-gold Rolex chronometer while also being honoured at ceremonies in their home countries.