New Delhi: It is not everyone’s cup of tea to dare swim against the tide but those who do so are real heroes! There are many unsung green warriors and heroes, including Indian Forest Service officials, who have shown grit, determination and perseverance while safeguarding forests and their inhabitants but they are rarely seen drawing accolades. They excel even in extra curricular activities. 

Meet Devendra Jhajharia, who is currently working with Rajasthan government as an Assistant Conservator of Forest. He was 8-9 years old when he lost his left hand due to electrocution, but he did not give up. He took his hardships as a challenge to overcome and today he is not only a green warrior but also a pride for India.

Born in Rajasthan’s Churu district, today Dev, as he is lovingly called, is India’s top para-athlete who won a silver medal in recently concluded Tokyo Paralympics along with Sundar Singh Gurjar, who won a bronze medal. The duo is India’s ace javelin throwers. Like Dev, Sundar is also working as an Assistant Conservator of Forest. People’s memory is short but not their zeal and determination to continue striving to bring laurels for the nation!

Meet another green warrior Avani Lekhera! She is also an Assistant Conservator of Forest with Rajasthan government. A young and dynamic officer, consistently chasing her professional pursuits and duties towards the goal of good governance, Avani has created a history by winning the first ever gold medal for India in shooting para sport at Tokyo Paralympics.

In fact, the Indian bureaucracy taking care of forest resources is multifaceted and diverse but is less explored by us. 

A case in point is Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Vishwanath Neelannavar. As District Forest Officer (DFO), Sambalpur, he has done multiple things to preserve environmental beauty and protect forests. He is also the first IFS officer from Odisha to cycle through Khardung La mountain pass, the world’s highest motorable road in Leh district of Ladakh. Yes, fitter foresters ensure better forests!

An exceptional achievement was logged by the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh under the dynamic leadership of Ritesh Sirothia in July this year. Seven years punishment and Rs 5 lakh as fine was pronounced by Satna Court to Murugesan and 12 others in case of turtle and pangolin poaching and illegal trade. It is a rare achievement!  

Similarly, Dipika Bajpai, an IFS officer of 2010 batch of Karnataka cadre, used social media platforms to help Pattachitra artists from Odisha when they were badly hit by the cyclone Fani and Covid-19. Their livelihood was ensured which had been threatened due to the unprecedented situation caused by Covid-19.

Every year, the National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated as a low key affair, notwithstanding the fact that we need to celebrate the day in every nook and corner of the country as the time is running out to save our climate from further degradation for which we have to make our forests more vibrant!

It was in the recognition of exemplary valour and sacrifices made by forest personnel, in various parts of the country for the protection of our environment, forest and wildlife, that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has declared 11th September as the National Forest Martyrs Day.

The date September 11 was chosen as the National Forest Martyrs Day due to its historical significance. On this day, in 1730, over 360 people of the Bishnoi tribe led by Amrita Devi, objected to the felling of trees and thanks to their protest to save the trees were killed in Khejarli, Rajasthan on the orders of the king. 

A foundation stone of the memorial pillar was laid on 3rd October 2012 at the Memorial site near Brandis Road, FRI, Dehradun. A Forester Memorial has also been raised in Forest Research Institute (FRI) campus, Dehradun to commemorate the sacrifices made by all those foresters who have laid down their lives in protecting the forests and biodiversity of our country. At Bureaucrats India, we recognise and salute all such heroes. /BI/