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my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Feb: The Governor, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), stated that the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of forests are not possible without public participation and ethical leadership. He emphasized that involving local communities living in forest areas is a fundamental responsibility of the forest service.
Addressing the 2025 batch of Indian Forest Service officers at the ‘Sanjay Singh Memorial Lecture’ held at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy in Dehradun, the Governor called upon officers to adopt a corruption-free, sensitive, and innovation-driven work culture. He urged them to connect local communities with self-employment and skill development opportunities and to treat wildlife and nature as integral members of their own families.
Lt Gen Singh advised officers to pay special attention to the welfare of their subordinate staff and forest personnel, including their families’ education, healthcare, housing, insurance, and skill training. He said that an officer’s responsibility extends beyond administrative duties to improving the quality of life of those working under them.
Recalling the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of late Sanjay Singh, the Governor said that his supreme sacrifice in the line of duty will continue to inspire future generations. Officers who lay down their lives in the discharge of their duties are invaluable assets to the nation.
Highlighting the importance of ethical values and transparency in the forest service, the Governor urged officers to remain free from corruption. He remarked that an officer’s reputation takes years to build but can be destroyed in a moment by a single wrong decision. He called upon them to discharge their responsibilities with administrative competence, moral courage, and sensitivity.
The Governor noted that the forest service currently faces serious challenges such as illegal mining, encroachment, forest fires, and human-wildlife coexistence. He said these challenges can be addressed through technology, innovation, and a compassionate approach. He also emphasized promoting eco-tourism and forest-based economies to strengthen the livelihoods of local communities.
On the occasion, the Governor honored the parents of late Sanjay Singh, Ghanshyam Narayan Singh and Kanti, by presenting them with shawls. He also felicitated officers of the 2025 batch for outstanding performance during training. The event was attended by Director Bharti, PCCF (HoFF) Uttarakhand Ranjan Kumar Mishra, other academy officials, and trainee officers.
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