While addressing the gathering of the probationers IFS officers, IGNFA director Vinod Kumar informed that this institution previously known as Indian Forest Collage has been serving the country for the past 76 years. All the Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers in independent India and around 343 forest officers from 14 of the neighboring countries have been trained in this institution, he added.
He further said that a total of 57 IFS probationers and two foreign trainees from Royal Govt of Bhutan have been awarded with the diploma from the present 2014-16 course. There are three Ph.Ds, 37 graduates and 19 M.Sc in this batch. Out of these, 53 officers have secured more than 75 per cent marks in the aggregate, thereby qualifying to get the honours diplomas.
All those who have successfully completed the training are being awarded the Associate of Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy Diploma, Kumar said. The IIM lucknow Attachment, NGO Attachment, Media Management Module, Coastal Management Module at Andamans, Integrated Wetland Management Module at Chilka, Odisha, Theme Based Tour and special overseas exposure visit to Finland have been done for the first time for this IFS 2014 Batch.
He advised them to work with utmost sincerity and devotion and keep an open mind and innovate while dealing with various issues specially the issues concerning the livelihood of the forest dependent poor people.
At the ceremony, the officers who had shown outstanding achievements were awarded different prizes and awards. Ankur Awadhiya of Madhya Pradesh cadre became the topper of the 2014-16 training course. He grabbed a total 10 medals and awards in different categories.
SS Negi, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Union government, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, sensitized them towards the challenges awaiting them in the sector. He also spoke about the importance of professionalism in the government service and citizen centric delivery.
He urged them to work on new ideas towards adaptation capacity against global warming. He also announced two new awards in the field of wildlife photography which shall be given to the 2015-17 batch.
Ashok lavasa, secretary, Govt of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change also addressed the IFS trainee officers. He asked them to come up as the guardians of the forests besides being guards of the forests, to conserve and develop not only the forests of the country but the whole natural resources.