Kerala to modernise Forest department with advanced technology and vehicles

The Kerala Forest department will be modernised with advanced technology, equipment and vehicles to meet the changing requirements of forest protection, Forest Minister Shibu Baby John has said.

Speaking after reviewing the passing-out parade of a new batch of beat forest officers (BFOs) at the State Forest Training Institute in Walayar, Palakkad, the Minister said officials who deal with wild animals will be provided with safety gear and modern vehicles, including All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

Human-wildlife conflict

Mr. John said lasting solutions to the State's growing human-wildlife conflict could be found only with the involvement and cooperation of people living in the hilly areas.

He noted that unlike regular law-enforcement agencies, the Forest department carries the additional responsibility of protecting nature. The government would also consider increasing funds for the State Forest Training Institute at Walayar, he said.

Training details

A total of 148 BFOs completed nine months of training, which included six months of forestry training and three months at the State Police Academy, Thrissur. The programme covered forest-related subjects, physical fitness, discipline, karate, yoga, first aid and personality development.

The batch comprised 55 men and 93 women. It included nine engineering graduates, 42 postgraduates, 72 graduates, one MPhil holder and one BAMS graduate.

L. Chandrasekhar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Finance, Budget and Audit), presided over the function. Conservator of Forests (HRD) Narendranath Veluri presented the training report, and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration) J. Justin Mohan administered the oath.

A. Prabhakaran, MLA; Chief Conservator of Forests R. Kamalahar; Deputy Conservator of Forests Devipriya Ajith; and State Forest Training Institute Director Ravi Kumar Meena were among those who attended.