Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav told Indian Forest Service officers in New Delhi on October 12, 2026, that the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 requires combining economic development with ecological security. He spoke while addressing participants of a mid-career training programme and stressed the need for officers to manage competing demands through careful planning.

Yadav recognised the officers’ role in protecting India’s forests, wildlife and ecological heritage. He listed human-wildlife conflict, forest fires, climate change and the task of balancing development with conservation as key challenges. These issues, he said, call for scientific methods and active involvement of local communities.

The minister pointed to India’s advances in wildlife conservation, expansion of forest and tree cover, carbon sequestration, wetland protection and landscape restoration. He noted that many of these gains have come through programmes that engage citizens.

He also described the changing responsibilities of the Indian Forest Service. Yadav encouraged officers to go beyond their traditional regulatory duties and act as leaders, innovators and facilitators who support sustainable development.

The remarks underline the government’s focus on aligning forest management with long-term national goals while addressing immediate environmental pressures faced by communities living near forests and wildlife habitats.

(AIR)