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.
