Tributes paid to forest martyrs at FRI

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 11

National Forest Martyrs Day was observed at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) here today to commemorate forest officials who laid down their lives while protecting forests and wildlife.

ICFRE Director General Dr Ashwani Kumar said it was on this day in 1730 that over 360 persons of the Bishnoi tribe were killed in Khejarli, now in Rajasthan, when they objected to the felling of Khejri trees by the King of Jodhpur. He added around 1,400 forest officials had attained martyrdom while safeguarding the country’s forest wealth and wildlife.

ICFRE Deputy Director General (Research) Dr GS Goraya lauded the efforts of employees of the forest departments in various states in conserving forests. Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Hem Pandey said modern techniques should be used for better management of forests.

FRI Director Dr Savita recalled the sacrifices made by Forest Department personnel across the country while protecting forests and wildlife.

Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy Director Vinod Kumar and a large number of employees from the ICFRE, FRI, IGNFA and other institutes were present on the occasion. A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of the martyrs.