Forest officers are custodians of biodiversity: Lt Gen Gurmit Singh

my uttarakhand news Bureau

Dehradun, 19 Aug: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh, addressing probationers of the Indian Forest Service at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy here today, called upon the young officers to treat forest and natural resource conservation as a vital duty of national service. He said that just as soldiers guard the country’s geographical boundaries, forest officers are guardians of its natural wealth. He also welcomed Vice President CP Radhakrisnhan to the event

The Governor also stressed that climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss and natural disasters are pressing challenges of the present era, making the role of the Forest Service more crucial than ever. He reminded the probationers that forests are not merely clusters of trees but sources of water, foundations of life and protectors of biodiversity. He emphasised that conservation must be rooted in the participation of local communities whose generations-old relationship with forests provides invaluable traditional knowledge. He said that non-timber forest produce, medicinal plants, eco-tourism and forest-based small industries can strengthen rural livelihoods, and when communities receive dignified opportunities from forests, they themselves become the strongest protectors of nature.

The Governor also stressed upon the importance of modern technology in forest administration, pointing to artificial intelligence, drones, satellite imagery, remote sensing and data-driven decision-making as tools that can give forest management a new direction. He urged officers to adopt innovation and devise fresh solutions to traditional challenges. He concluded by reminding them that while their work areas and circumstances may change, their commitment to the nation must remain steadfast, with vision broad, thinking scientific, decisions impartial and hearts sensitive.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also addressed the probationers. The Academy’s Director Rajendra Prasad Khajuria, Course Director Ajita Loungjam, senior officers of the Indian Forest Service and probationers were among those present during the programme.