Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 13: The Inaugural Function of the one-week compulsory training course for the Indian Forest Officers (IFS) on “Natural Resource Management and Conflict Resolution Skills for Forests Management” was held today at Sea Shell Coral Cove, Minnie Bay. The training programme is sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. A total of 30 IFS officers from various states and union territories including AGMUT, Meghalaya, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are attending the training.
The course has been designed to include both classroom sessions and practical field exercises, aimed at equipping officers with in-depth knowledge of resource management and conflict resolution approaches, particularly in sensitive and ecologically fragile landscapes.
Dr. R. S. C. Jayaraj, IFS, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Andaman & Nicobar Islands delivered the inaugural address as the chief guest; Dr. Deleep Kumar, IFS, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Madhya Pradesh, Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Department of Environment and Forests, A & N Islands were the special guests on the occasion.
Dr. R.S.C. Jayaraj in his address, emphasized on the critical importance of integrated natural resource management in today’s changing environmental and socioeconomic landscape. He highlighted that conflicts are not just ecological but also social and economic in nature, arising from overlapping interests and inadequate coordination between stakeholders.
Dr. Deleep Kumar, in his address highlighted that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands hold a special ecological significance unlike any other landscape in India. He emphasized the importance of conserving the fragile island ecosystem and thanked the organisers for conducting such an important training programme.
Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, in his address highlighted the strategic importance of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in terms of ecological, geographical, and conservation significance. As an essential component of the archipelago’s natural heritage, he emphasised the importance of safeguarding not only the larger islands but also the smaller, ecologically delicate ones.
Earlier, Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Course Director, ZSI, ANRC in his address outlined the objectives of the training programme. He emphasized that the course aims to build capacity among IFS officers in sustainable forest management, natural resource governance and conflict resolution, with a strong focus on integrating science, policy and local community participation. The training includes expert lectures, interactive sessions, and field visits to biodiversity hotspots across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The Technical session began with a series of insightful lectures; Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Scientist-F & Officer-in-Charge, ZSI, delivered a lecture on “An Overview of Island Biodiversity and Conservation.” Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), spoke on “Introduction to Human–Crocodile Conflict & Management.” Dr. Deepak Apte, Marine Biologist and Conservation Expert, delivered a talk on “Coastal and Marine Biodiversity – Conflict with Human Society in a Changing Climate.” Dr. P. S. Easa, Senior Conservation Biologist, spoke on “Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges and Prospects.”