New Delhi: Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav presented the Eco Warrior Awards 2023 to five Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers – Ms Basu Kannogia (2010-batch officer), Dr. Mohan Ram, Ritesh Sirothia (2017 batch officer), Biswajit Mishra (an officer of the 1998 batch and Karnataka cadre) and Millo Tasser. Each awardee was presented with a citation and a trophy in recognition of their exemplary work.
Ms Basu Kannogia – Award for Forest Protection
Ms. Basu Kannogia, a 2010-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, has earned the moniker of ‘Encroachment Eviction Specialist’ among her peers, owing to her relentless pursuit of forest mafia, illegal settlers, miners, and wildlife smugglers. She is posted as DFO, North Seoni in Madhya Pradesh. She has been on a relentless mission to combat the encroachment menace plaguing the lush landscapes of Madhya Pradesh. With an indomitable spirit and unyielding determination, she has spearheaded campaigns against unlicensed sale of trees, illegal settlements on forest lands, and other environmental infractions. Till now, she has successfully reclaimed over 7,000 hectares of encroached land, liberating these areas from the clutches of illegal occupiers.
Amidst the Gir Forest Wildlife Division in Sasan-Gir, Gujarat, Dr. Mohan Ram stands as a pioneering force driving technological innovation and biodiversity preservation. With an unwavering commitment and an astute understanding of ecological systems, Dr. Mohan has catalysed a significant transformation in the conservation and management of the Gir and the Greater Gir landscapes. His implementation of various advanced methodologies has been instrumental in revolutionising wildlife conservation in the Gir region. One of the groundbreaking developments under Dr. Mohan’s leadership is the Carnivore Telemetry System, offering real-time alerts for animals like lions and leopards. This system is a game-changer, aiding in field management and providing critical data for scientific analysis. Whereas the innovative SIMBA software, utilising AI and deep machine learning, acts as a unique identification system, aiding in individual recognition and long-term database maintenance.
Ritesh Sirothia – Award for Wildlife Protection
2017 batch officer Ritesh Sirothia, who is posted as Regional Deputy Director NR, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Delhi, has played a key role in busting gangs involved in illegal trade of wildlife and getting them the maximum punishment. While posted in Madhya Pradesh as in-charge of Special Tiger Protection Force, he did exceptional work to safeguard the precious flora and fauna of the state. He nabbed few key players of gangs engaged in wildlife smuggling who were home delivering exotic species like the endangered red crowned roofed turtle. He also took help from the Interpol to issue red corner notice against a wanted criminal and sent a team to Dhaka & Bangkok to collect further evidence and to execute warrants against him. Such is his zeal!
Biswajit Mishra – Award for Best Use of Technology for Conservation
Bishwajit Mishra, an officer of the 1998 batch and Karnataka cadre, is not just a public servant; he is a visionary whose commitment to transforming forest administration has set new standards in the field. During his tenure as the head of the ICT wing of the Karnataka Forest Department for over five years, Mr. Mishra spearheaded numerous initiatives that focused on business process re-engineering. His efforts ushered in a wave of transparency, efficiency, and improved service delivery. One of his outstanding contributions was the integration of the latest technology in forest protection, combating forest and wildlife crimes with innovative solutions, and leveraging intelligent systems for real-time monitoring. Currently, he is posted as the CCF (CIT) in Bengaluru.
Millo Tasser – Award for Community Connect
Conservator of Forests (HQ), Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Millo Tasser, is not only known for promoting bird tourism but also for converting a hub of timber operations, the Singchung forests, into a shining example of community involvement in forest conservation. The Singchung Sub-Division is predominantly inhabited by the Buguns, a Scheduled Tribe in Arunachal Pradesh. The Buguns are now actively engaged in forest protection and conservation. The conservation efforts focuses especially on Bugun Liocichla, a passerine bird discovered in the forests near Singchung village, a discovery that catalysed conservation activities in the area by the local community.
The same forests that were once a hub of timber operations where large-scale logging was rampant, became a protected area guarded fiercely by the Buguns who banned any form of hunting, tree felling, collection of Non-Timber Forest Produce, and entry into the reserve forest without permission. Tasser’s community involved conservation initiative has become a learning model for Probationers of the Indian Forest Service who have been visiting Eaglenest Sanctuary and Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve since 2014. He was presented with the Governor’s gold medal for his community led conservation initiative in 2018.
