https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Forests for the Future: IFS Officers Discuss Innovation

On International Day of Forests, Indian Masterminds spoke to a couple of IFS officers This year’s theme for International Forest Day is - Forests and innovation: New solutions for a better world Read the article to learn about the forefront of innovations
Indian Masterminds Stories

Today is International Day of Forests, a day dedicated to celebrating the importance of these irreplaceable ecosystems and raising awareness about the threats they face. This year’s theme, “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” underscores the crucial role technology can play in protecting our forests. In line with this theme, Indian Masterminds spoke to forest officers on the cutting edge of innovation. 

Q- What are the possibilities for utilizing innovative wood products and bio-materials as sustainable alternatives to conventional materials like steel and concrete in India’s construction sector?

2018-batch IFS officer Vineet Kumar, who is posted as DFO, Anantapur, shared, “The possibilities are unbound for utilizing sustainable materials for construction. In fact, new sustainable, innovative materials are the future. This is because of three main factors.”

Vineet Kumar, IFS
Vineet Kumar, IFS
  1.  These materials are environment-friendly and cannot be compromised to protect the environment, as our survival is linked to the health of the environment and Mother Earth. 
  2. These innovative materials are multipurpose, meaning the same material can be used for interiors, outdoors, construction, structural, etc. Many such materials, such as engineered wood, are available on the market that are less harmful to the environment and are produced from organic materials.
  3. The field of design is going through a shift, and customers want to have unique ideas for home decor, interiors, crafts, etc. where these sustainable materials, with their properties, can be used by designers to customize unique sets of experiences. Major firms are focusing on such materials. 

Another gap to be filled by the use of such materials is the availability of skilled labor who can work on these sustainable alternatives. Traditional artisans like carpenters and painters can be skilled with these new materials to ensure the trust of customers in the skills of workers as well as the easy implementation of such innovative solutions to the last mile. Private farmhouses, eco-tourism centers, resorts, public housing projects, etc. can all use such innovative materials, which are not only sustainable but also less permanent in nature, leaving a smaller footprint and being easier to install once the prototypes are finalized. A lot of research in material science is focused on producing the materials of the future that are not only sustainable but also mass-produced, low-cost, and promote the concepts of circular economy, leading to fewer wastes. 

“We have used such materials, though on a small scale, for building the cottages at the eco-tourism center run by the Forest Department at Pacherla in the Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh,” Mr. Kumar shared. 

Q- How can we encourage innovation in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to create new income opportunities for forest-dependent communities while ensuring sustainable harvesting practices?

2018-batch IFS officer Vejayanantham TR, DFO, South Betul Forest Division, shared, “We need PPP mode in collection, processing, and marketing. The private sector has the best technologies, quality assurance systems, and marketing strategies. The government has the last mile reach and faith of the people. We have to bring both together. Using export standards in collection and processing, organic certification of NTFPs is the need of the hour.”

Vejayanantham TR, IFS
Vejayanantham TR, IFS

Q- In your opinion, what innovative solutions hold the most promise for ensuring the future health and productivity of Indian forests?

“The Forest Department lacks real-time data. Whether it is forest management or human resource management, we need to create systems like control rooms and command centers to monitor forest protection works, patrolling, and the activeness of the barriers in real-time. It’s better to protect what we have than to create a new one, as it takes hundreds of years for the forest ecosystem to develop,” Mr. Vejayanantham said. 

Q- How can AI, drones, and satellite technology be better utilized for forest fire prevention, detection, and management in India?

2014-batch IFS officer Yashu Deep Singh, who is currently on central deputation at Chandigarh within the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, said, “I believe that there is huge potential in the use of AI for forest fire detection.” Currently, it relies on satellite imagery and the census data used by the satellites. He further said that by analyzing past years’ data, AI can predict the most prone areas and detect various parameters indicating changing atmospheric conditions and village activities.

Yashu Deep Singh, IFS
Yashu Deep Singh, IFS

This will enable the department to anticipate and identify days when forest fires are more likely to occur and in which locations. “I think it is entirely feasible, and such tools could be immensely beneficial in protecting and preventing forest fires, focusing more on prevention rather than fire control.”

2019-batch IFS officer Ankit Kumar, who is posted as Deputy CEO, CAMPA, and DCF, Industries, Arunachal Pradesh, shared that there are not many fire hotspots in Arunachal Pradesh, but the use of technology is crucial wherever needed. For fire hotspot detection, they utilize GIS media and an application through which people can share information about forest fires. GIS media is used for people’s participation. 

Ankit Kumar, IFS
Ankit Kumar, IFS

“I’m not sure how useful AI will be in this regard, but if early detection can be achieved, it could prove beneficial, for which we require better technology. AI could assist in collating data and providing advance alerts,” the officer said. 

In the North East area, drone usage is minimal due to the dense canopy, making it difficult to navigate drones within the forest. Manual deployment of forest guards is most effective.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT