https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Free Mitthu, Free Kittu: A Forest Officer’s Campaign Does Magic

A campaign by Sendhwa Forest Division is saving many animals and birds IFS officer Anupam Sharma inspired the public to turn ‘Pro Planet People’
Indian Masterminds Stories

A forest officer while interacting with a group of children at a forest camp suddenly got an idea that has now saved more than 100 animals and birds in the Sendhwa forest division of Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh.

IFS officer Mr Anupam Sharma started the ‘Free Mitthu, Free Kittu’ Campaign on 30 December, 2022, to motivate citizens to release captive Mitthu (Parakeet) and Kittu (Turtle) to their natural habitats.

Inspired by the efforts of the 2018 batch officer, within a month people had freed over 60 pets.

Mr. Sharma told Indian Masterminds how they sensitize the young minds towards forest, wildlife, and climate.

IFS officer Anupam Sharma

“We run Anubhuti camps, where we take the children to a natural environment to camp,” the former Sendhwa Forest Division Officer, said.

Read This: Anubhuti: A Forest Camp Organised by Sendhwa Forest Department to Celebrate MP Foundation Day

During one such camping mission, Mr Sharma asked the children about their pets like parrots and turtles.
Almost 5 per cent of the children had admitted to having such a pet, said the officer. In subsequent camps, he found out that almost the same number of kids each time had a Mitthu or Kittu.

“So it came down to such a pet in every 20th house. That meant if there are one lakh families, then
about 4 to 5 thousand families have such pets. I decided it was time to act,” said the forest officer.

Paople participating in campaign and freed the pets

THE CAMPAIGN

Under the campaign ‘Mission LiFE’, Mr Anupam Sharma decided to reward and felicitate whoever freed the wild animals as ‘Pro Planet People’.

Announcements were made at public places regarding the legal provisions under Wildlife Protection Act, besides interactions with school children and media coverage.

The ‘Pro Planet People’ certificates were distributed on Republic Day.

Mr Anupam Sharma, who is now posted as DFO Burhanpur, said, “About 60 to 70 such pets were rescued within a month. Now the number must be more than 100.”

IFS Officer Anupam Sharma felicitates Pro Planet People

However, the movement was not hassle-free as there were families, particularly children, who were so attached to their Mitthu/Kittu that they were hesitant to free them. But the forest officials were able to convince them.

The officer also spoke about the harm the animals encountered as pets.

Many parrots die while being captured, others have their wings broken or twisted to stop them from escaping. Then there are religious beliefs to some captures, like vastu and others, he added.

The pet trade of wildlife promotes poaching activities and there are legal provisions. However, Mr Sharma said he found this route of Mission LiFE, more attractive and beneficial.

“It is for our ecosystem so we dealt with people in a soft and persuasive mode and it really worked,” he added.

Those who keep parrots and turtles in their homes are often unaware of the impact it has on the environment. Parakeets help in the dispersal of seeds, while turtles cleanse the aquatic ecosystems.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IRSSE (Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers) officer
IRSSE Gaurav Govil Debarred from Central Deputation for 5 Years Over Non-Compliance with CVO Appointment
Delhi High Court-resized-DelhiHC
Faith vs Discipline: Delhi HC Backs Army in Termination of Officer, Upholds Dismissal For Refusing Religious Parade Participation
IRS Officer Indian revenue Services
Senior IRS Officer Caught in Bribery Case: ₹25 Lakh Seized at Mohali Residence, ₹45 Lakh Demanded – Know the Full Story
PNB Housing Finanace
PNB Housing Finance Elevates Bhavya Taneja as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) - Know More About Him
Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann
Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann Takes Over as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command - Know More About Him
Rajgir Sports
Bihar’s Mega Sports Push: Playgrounds, Stadiums & Talent Hunt Transform State; Over 50 Lakh Students Join
Indian Oil IOCL
Indian Oil (IOCL) Finalizes LCOH for India’s Largest Green Hydrogen Plant at Panipat Refinery - Details Inside
RECPDCL Handover WRNES Talegaon Power Transmission Limited SPV to Adani Energy
RECPDCL Hands Over WRNES Talegaon Power Transmission SPV to Adani Energy Solutions - All Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
From Gwalior to the Top 20: What Drove Finance Pro Madhav Agarwal to Crack UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 16? | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Leopard into Well Indore
Wildlife on the Edge: Why Leopards Keep Falling into Wells in MP’s Mhow & How Communities Are Navigating Coexistence
Harry Hobbs of Kolkata and Other Forgotten Lives
Nine Colonial Lives That Shaped Calcutta: Devasis Chattopadhyay’s Fascinating Chronicle | Book Review
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT