Bhupender Yadav Honours 15 Forest Officers at Eco Warrior Awards 2026

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav presided over the 4th Eco Warrior Awards and Eco Warrior Conclave in New Delhi, an event organised by the Indian Forest Service Association and Indian Masterminds. The gathering brought together senior forest officers, conservationists, policymakers, scientists, civil society representatives and industry figures to recognise contributions to forest, wildlife and environmental conservation.

Addressing the gathering, Yadav described India's forests as vital ecological infrastructure that supports water, climate, soil, biodiversity and livelihoods. He acknowledged the role of frontline personnel, including beat guards and rangers, who patrol forests, respond to fires and protect wildlife habitats, and stressed that tribal and forest-dependent communities are essential conservation partners.

The Minister noted that conservation has grown more complex, with officers now required to manage entire ecological landscapes while balancing development, livelihoods, human aspirations and wildlife needs. Among the emerging challenges he listed were climate change, increasingly frequent and unpredictable extreme weather events, forest fires, water stress, habitat fragmentation and invasive species, alongside mounting pressure on land and natural resources. He advocated a landscape approach linking forests, wildlife, agriculture, water, livelihoods and human settlements.

Calling conservation a national rather than merely a government responsibility, Yadav said the Forest Service is entrusted with the stewardship of India's natural capital. He said the awards celebrate courage without publicity, service without applause and commitment without immediate rewards, and expressed hope that they would inspire more people to work for the country's forests, wildlife and environment. He added that India's conservation journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to show that development and environmental stewardship can advance together.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Brij Kishore Singh, a 1976-batch IFS officer of the Karnataka cadre, for his decades-long contribution to forest and wildlife conservation. During his career, Singh played an important role in efforts to combat sandalwood smuggling and the activities of the brigand Veerappan, besides contributing to forest protection and wildlife conservation in Karnataka.

Fifteen officers were recognised across categories. Under Protected Area Management, Dr. Prakash Chand Gogineni, Conservator of Forests and In-charge Field Director of Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha, and Manish Singh, DFO of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh, were honoured for strengthening tiger and wildlife conservation through technology, protection measures and community participation.

In Wildlife Protection and Conservation, Selvi S. Senbagapriya, DCF (Genetics), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, DCF, Palampur Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh, were recognised for community-based conservation, scientific monitoring, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and anti-poaching operations.

For Environment Conservation, Dharm Singh Meena, Conservator of Forests, Bhagirathi Circle, Uttarakhand, and Suman Shivashankar Sivachar W.M., DFO, Wokha, Nagaland, were cited for scientific water conservation and restoration of springs and streams, and for Amur falcon protection, community engagement and conservation of the Doyang Reservoir.

In the Community Connect category, Dhawan Kumar Rawat, DFO, Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, and Gurharsh Singh, DCF, Rampur, Himachal Pradesh, were recognised for linking conservation with community livelihoods and for constructing a timber bridge within six hours following the Samej cloudburst to facilitate rescue operations.

N. Jayaraj, Wildlife Warden, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, and Ramsundar M., Director, Rajgir Zoo Safari, Bihar, received the Best Use of Technology award for AI-based surveillance and early-warning systems for elephant protection near a vulnerable railway stretch, as well as digital booking, CCTV surveillance and GPS tracking.

The Special Jury Award went to Savita Dahiya, DCF, Barmer, Rajasthan, and K. Karthikeyani, DFO, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, for restoration of Tal Chhapar grassland and improvement of habitat for blackbucks and chinkaras, and for a campaign that removed 239 illegal guns from the landscape while strengthening elephant protection.

Special Projects Recognition was extended to Project Elephant and the Great Indian Bustard conservation project in Rajasthan for their contributions to species and habitat conservation.

The accompanying conclave featured three panel discussions on AI and technology for conservation and natural resources management, the role of corporates in forest management, and sustainable development and environmental ethics. A photography exhibition showcasing nature photographs captured by civil servants from across India was also organised.

Among those attending were Sushil Kumar Awasthi, DG (Forests) and Special Secretary (MoEFCC); Bharat Lal, former Secretary General of the NHRC; Anita Karn, President, IFSA; Monalisa Dash, General Secretary, IFSA; and representatives of Indian Masterminds.