Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Honors Environmental Protectors at 'Eco Warrior' Awards 2026; Terms Conservation a National Responsibility

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, presided over the fourth 'Eco Warrior' awards ceremony and 'Eco Warrior' conference in New Delhi. The event was organized by the Indian Forest Service Association (IFSA) and 'Indian Masterminds,' drawing participation from senior forest officers, conservationists, policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders.

During the ceremony, Shri Bhupender Yadav presented the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to Shri Brij Kishore Singh, a 1976 batch IFS officer of the Karnataka cadre, for his decades of contribution to wildlife and forest conservation. In his career, Shri Singh played a pivotal role in curbing sandalwood smuggling and leading operations against the notorious bandit Veerappan.

In his address, the Union Minister stated that India's forests are critical environmental infrastructures for water, climate, soil, and biodiversity. He emphasized that conservation is not merely a government task but a national responsibility. Appreciating the contributions of beat guards, rangers, and frontline forest personnel, Shri Yadav noted that these individuals perform the actual work of implementing conservation policies on the ground. Highlighting emerging challenges such as climate change, forest fires, and habitat fragmentation, he called for a 'landscape approach' that can integrate forests, wildlife, agriculture, and human settlements.

A total of 15 forest officers were honored across various categories. The main awards were distributed as follows:

1. Protected Area Management: Dr. Prakash Chand Gogineni (Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha) and Shri Manish Singh (Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh). 2. Wildlife Protection and Conservation: Ms. Selvi S. Senbagapriya (Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu) and Dr. Sanjeev Sharma (Palampur, Himachal Pradesh). 3. Environmental Conservation: Shri Dharma Singh Meena (Uttarakhand) and Shri Suman Shivshankar Shivachar W.M. (Nagaland). 4. Community Engagement: Shri Dhawan Kumar Rawat (Arunachal Pradesh) and Shri Gurharsh Singh (Rampur, Himachal Pradesh). 5. Best Use of Technology: Shri N. Jayaraj (Hosur, Tamil Nadu) and Shri Ramsundar M. (Rajgir Zoo Safari, Bihar). 6. Special Jury Award: Ms. Savita Dahiya (Barmer, Rajasthan) and Ms. K. Kartikeyani (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu).

Additionally, under the special project awards, Rajasthan's 'Project Elephant' and 'Great Indian Bustard Conservation Project' were recognized.

The conference featured three panel discussions focusing on topics such as AI and technology, the role of corporates, and sustainable development. The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Director General (Forests) Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, former NHRC Secretary General Shri Bharat Lal, IFSA President Ms. Anita Karn, and General Secretary Ms. Monalisa Das. The occasion also included an exhibition of nature photographs captured by government officials.