Port Blair Oct 17: In a world where the balance between conservation and coexistence grows increasingly delicate, the Zoological Survey of India’s Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre wrapped up a week-long intensive training aimed at sharpening the skills of India’s forest guardians.
The compulsory training course on “Natural Resource Management and Conflict Resolution Skills for Forest Management”, held from October 13 to 17, 2025, was designed to empower Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers with the tools to address modern-day conservation challenges — from managing ecosystems in fragile landscapes to resolving human–wildlife and inter-sectoral conflicts with empathy and effectiveness.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the course brought together 30 IFS officers representing diverse terrains across India — from the forests of Meghalaya and Kerala to the plains of Uttar Pradesh and the islands of the Andamans.
Blending theory with field immersion, the program combined expert-led classroom sessions and hands-on learning through visits to the Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Baratang’s mangroves and limestone caves, and Chidiyatappu Biological Park. The aim: to deepen understanding of ecosystem dynamics and foster collaborative approaches to conservation.
At the valedictory function, Dr. Suvarna C., PCCF & HoFF, Government of Telangana, commended the organisers for seamlessly executing a large-scale programme in a remote island setting. She lauded the course for offering “a space to learn, grow, and rejuvenate,” and urged officers to leverage such opportunities for peer learning, writing, and global exposure through international fellowships.
Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, CCF (Wildlife), A&N Islands, reflected on the logistical challenges of working in isolated, rain-soaked island ecosystems — a reminder of the resilience demanded of forest officers in diverse environments. Dr. P.S. Easa, former Director, Kerala Forest Research Institute, encouraged participants to share state-specific conservation insights to strengthen collective understanding.
Earlier, Dr. Sivaperuman, Course Director and Officer-in-Charge, A&N Islands, outlined the program’s objective of fostering leadership, conflict resolution, and scientific acumen among officers tasked with managing India’s vital natural resources.
NAs the officers received their certificates, the course closed not just as a training session, but as a reaffirmation of the IFS’s enduring mission — to protect, preserve, and peacefully manage the country’s living natural heritage.
