In the challenging terrains of Madhya Pradesh, Indian Forest Service Officer Anupam Sharma (Madhya Pradesh cadre) has been instrumental in bringing about significant environmental changes. Currently posted as the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Rewa, Mr. Sharma’s career spans a series of impactful initiatives across the state, including his earlier postings in Burhanpur and Sendhwa.
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Among his most notable achievements is the large-scale operation in Burhanpur, where he led efforts to reclaim thousands of hectares of encroached forest land. “The magnitude of that victory can’t be measured. It was a team effort, from villagers to local forest committees,” Mr. Sharma shared during our conversation.
Mr. Sharma’s deployment of drones for surveillance marked another innovative step. The technology helped gather crucial intelligence on encroachers in areas too dangerous for manual patrols. Drones provided real-time data, allowing forest teams to act swiftly and efficiently, curbing illegal logging and preventing further land encroachment. He also experimented with drones for seed dispersal in remote, difficult terrains, testing their effectiveness against traditional methods.
Despite these successes, Mr. Sharma emphasizes that encroachment remains the biggest challenge to forest conservation in India. “Land lost to encroachment is often irrecoverable. It’s a problem that demands urgent and focused action.”
Mr. Sharma’s contributions earned him recognition through the Eco Warrior Awards 2024, underscoring the crucial role forest officers play in safeguarding India’s natural resources. To hear more from IFS Anupam Sharma, watch the full interview where he discusses his experiences and the future of forest conservation.
