Features , Video Interview , Videos
“An Environmental Crusade: How This IFS Officer Salvaged 44 Tons of Garbage
- Pallavi Priya
- Published on 2 May 2024, 9:09 am IST
- 2 minutes read
Highlights
- Ms. Jyotsna Sitling, a retried IFS officer, served in J&K, UP and Uttarakhand
- She was the first female tribal officer, was bestowed Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2006-07
- The officer continues to work as Member of Advisory Committee to SEBI on Social Stock Exchange.
Meet Ms. Jyotsna Sitling, a remarkable IFS officer with a tribal background and recipient of the prestigious Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar. Devoting her life to the restoration of our ecosystem, she played a pivotal role in saving the Nanda Devi Biosphere from the threat of garbage and plastic pollution. Thanks to her relentless efforts, the Valley of Flowers was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
Watch the interview here:
Appointed as the Director of Nanda Devi National Park (NDNP) in 2002, Ms. Sitling faced the daunting task of managing accumulated waste, eliminating unorganized shops, and addressing the irresponsible behavior of tourists. The Valley is close to two prominent shrines – Badrinath temple and Hemkund Sahib in A Uttarakhand. This results in unbridled footfall of tourists.Related Stories
Despite the enormity of the challenge, she rallied public support and meticulously sorted and recycled tons of plastic without resorting to shortcuts like burning or burying. She also successfully persuaded local shop owners to dismantle their establishments, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Sitling shares her journey in the Indian Forest Services and sheds light on her efforts in restoring the Valley of Flowers.
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