Bollywood actor John Abraham's sensitivity and sense of social responsibility drove him to help in creating India's first elephant village in Maharashtra, for which he was awarded an EcoWarrior award here late Thursday.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the EcoWarrior awards were given out as recognition and to honour the crusaders who worked towards the cause of environment.

'These awards create awareness about what people do at their level for the environment. Everything starts at a micro level and one has to take it at a macro level, ' John told reporters at the event.

John has been working with grass root communities for creating habitat for animal welfare. His commitment towards elephants has helped several of these wild animals return to their natural home.

Of 15 real life heroes who have been working towards conservation of environment and wildlife, John was the only one from Bollywood. The awardees were an eclectic mix - a bus conductor, a 15-year-old-girl, a government servant and others.

'There are awardees from every field. They are the real heroes who have gone ahead and done great things for the environment, ' he said.

The awards are an effort by Earth Matters Foundation, a brainchild of environmentalist filmmaker Mike Pandey, and were handed over to the recipients by Vice President Hamid Ansari.