New Delhi, Aug 1 (IANS) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday asked the 2024 Batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) probationers to tackle challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification with innovation for achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
Speaking at the Convocation ceremony at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun, Union Minister Yadav expressed confidence that when these officers reach the most productive phase of their careers, India will be celebrating 100 years of Independence.
The Union Minister presided over the ceremony as the Chief Guest and presented certificates and medals to the successful probationers.
He said that the officers would need to focus on innovation, modern technology and people’s participation to face challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification.
He added that artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies should be used not only for data collection and analysis but also for developing practical solutions with human sensitivity.
Bhupender Yadav said that ethics and efficiency are the strongest foundations of a successful public servant.
He urged the officers to aspire not only to become capable administrators but also effective leaders, saying that sacrifice, compassion and the ability to inspire others are the qualities that distinguish a true leader.
IGNFA Director Rajendra Prasad Khajuria presented the Director’s report and said that the institution, which began as the Indian Forest College and now functions as the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, has been serving the nation since 1938.
He told that all Indian Forest Service officers of independent India, along with 369 forest officers from 14 friendly countries, have received training from the institution.
He said that under the revised curriculum aligned with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, a total of 111 officers, comprising 109 Indian Forest Service probationers of the 2024 batch and two officer trainees from Bhutan, completed the 20-month training programme.
Of these, 75 officers secured more than 75 per cent marks and were awarded the Honours Diploma, he added.
–IANS
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