https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Demand For National Recognition To Green Warriors Reaches The PM

Forest officials have demanded national awards for the green heroes paint down their lives for the environment and forest Telangana’s forest department is garnering support from so parts of the country for this cause Prime Minister Office has acknowledged a letter written by Telangana chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, supporting their feelings
Indian Masterminds Stories

A young forest range officer in Odisha lost his life defending the forest on December 11, 2023. He and other officials had gone to push a herd of elephants, which had started towards human settlements, inside the forest to prevent a confrontation between humans and animals. But a tusker trampled him to death. He is a real green hero, defending both the wild animals and their habitat. The government just pays a tribute to them by observing Forest Martyr’s Day on September 11 every year. Regretfully, there isn’t a government honour bestowed upon him for their bravery. Now, voices have been raised in Telangana demanding the institution of a national award for our green heroes.

Forest officials in Telangana have demanded that the Green Warriors’ contributions be acknowledged. As many as 24 state foresters have already died defending the forest during the last 30 years.

To learn more about this, Indian Masterminds spoke with 1990 batch IFS officer Mohan Chandra Pargaien, PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, Telangana.

GREEN WARRIORS

Forest officials are not yet recognized at the federal level. The government recognizes and awards IAS, police, defense, and fire officials. They are also considered for meritorious and gallantry awards. So why shouldn’t achievers and forest officials who lost their lives while performing their duties be given equal consideration?

Telangana forest officials have now brought up the matter in a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office to get their contributions to the nation acknowledged.

Mr Mohan said, “The contribution of Green Heroes is not visible, but it is huge. We are demanding national awards for the forest officials laying their lives in fighting forest and wildlife smugglers and hunters. They conserve the forest and green cover, giving oxygen to the earth.”

NEED FOR CHANGE

A few weeks ago, Telangana Forest officials wrote to Mr. A Revanth Reddy, the state’s chief minister, asking him to take up their cause with the Prime Minister. Mr. Reddy brought up this matter with the PMO and supported the cause. In a letter to the central ministries, he also endorsed the demand made by the forest officials.

Telangana alone has lost 24 foresters since 1994. Most states with forest cover have similar figures and tragic stories. Most of those killed were forest guards and range officers. A few of them are IFS officers as well. In 2018, S. Manikandan, an IFS officer who was credited with reducing incidents of man-animal conflicts, tragically died in the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka after being attacked by a wild elephant.

Two foresters lost their lives fighting the poachers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve Odisha six months ago. Their colleagues even went on strike demanding better protection, arms, and ammunition for them. How can just one or two forest workers armed with mere lathi or a primitive rifle, fight groups of poachers having automatic weapons?

“Green heroes are necessary for the environment, just as the army is necessary for the protection of the country, police officers are necessary for law and order, and IAS officers are necessary for administration, so why shouldn’t there be a National Award for us?” Mr Reddy asked.

“Green heroes work in the jungle, day and night without any comfort. Therefore their recognition is also important. This will also inspire them to continue doing better work,” he further added.

‘NOT A CAMPAIGN’

Forest groups and other state officials are also lending support to this demand for recognition. They also acknowledge that forest officers and achievers should be considered for gallantry and meritorious awards. They highlight the work of ground staff and the need to prioritize the forest department.

Mr Mohan added that this is not like a campaign or agitation but a request to the ministry. He emphasized that the Central IFS Association is also supporting them. Mr Mohan stated that forest officials and departments from other states too are in solidarity with them.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
neha-badywal
How IAS Neha Byadwal’s UPSC Preparation & Study Routine Sparks Nationwide Debate on Bureaucracy, Privilege, & Public Service
MT Yi Cheng
Indian Navy Extinguishes Blaze Aboard MT Yi Cheng 6, Rescues 14 Indian Crew
ONGC_resized
ONGC Announces Leadership Transition: Vikram Saxena Takes Additional Charge as Director (Exploration), Sushma Rawat Superannuates
Indian Oil IOCL
Arvind Kumar Appointed as Interim Director (Pipelines) at Indian Oil Following Retirement of Senthil Kumar - Know More About Him!
Digital India Modi Blog 3
From India-First to India-for-the-World: Digital India Turns 10 - A Journey of Inclusion, Innovation, & Impact
SECI
SECI Crosses 60 GW in Power Sale Agreements, Strengthening India’s Renewable Energy Push - Sets Stage for Green Hydrogen & Storage Expansion
Air_Marshal_S_Sivakumar_VSM
Air Marshal S Sivakumar VSM Appointed Air Officer-in-Charge Administration at Air HQ - Know More About Him
NLC-INDIA-resized-neyvili
Complies with SEBI Norms: NLC India Announces Retirement of Executive Directors Hariramakrishnan N & Rani Alli G
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Air India
Is Air India Carrying The Burden of Split Before Privatisation?
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
Ex-IRS Officer C. Rajendiran Illuminates Thirukkural’s Timeless Wisdom in Exclusive Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Why Has the DGCA Fined Air India Rs 5 Crore Since Privatisation?
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IPS Deepak Meghani
Deepak Meghani, IPS: A Journey of Focus, Failure, and Quiet Discipline
A passionate writer, he has authored several books in Gujarati, ranging from exam strategy guides to...
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
Social Media
Shailaja Chandra
“Nanis & Dadis Have a Brain”: Former IAS Officer Shailaja Chandra Weighs in on 1970s vs 2025 Life Debate - “This Generation Has It Better”
Responding to Viral Post on Middle-Class Struggles, Ex-Bureaucrat Offers Candid Reflection on Then and...
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
neha-badywal
How IAS Neha Byadwal’s UPSC Preparation & Study Routine Sparks Nationwide Debate on Bureaucracy, Privilege, & Public Service
MT Yi Cheng
Indian Navy Extinguishes Blaze Aboard MT Yi Cheng 6, Rescues 14 Indian Crew
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Air India
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT