DGP Anand said the sacrifices of forest personnel who faced threats while protecting natural resources and wildlife could not be forgotten. He also expressed condolences to the family of Forest Beat Officer Banothu Naveen, who died on August 11 after being caught in a wildlife snare at Palvancha.
Mr. Anand said Forest Martyrs’ Day, observed on September 11, commemorated the sacrifice of 363 Bishnoi community members who died protecting trees at Khejarli in Rajasthan in 1730. He said the occasion was comparable in significance to Police Commemoration Day.
He called for Collectors, SPs and Forest Department officials to work in close coordination to prevent encroachment of forest lands. Even small remaining patches of forests have to be protected for future generations, he said.
Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said the government stood by the families of forest personnel who died in the line of duty and would continue to extend all possible support. He stressed the need to equip forest staff with weapons to help them deal with threats from timber smugglers and wildlife poachers.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Vinay Kumar, said forest personnel worked in highly hazardous conditions, particularly while patrolling at night and attempting to apprehend poachers and illegal timber smugglers.
The DGP also recalled his family’s long association with the Forest Department and said the Police Department would extend all necessary support to forest personnel.