Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav has emphasised that the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ must integrate economic development with ecological security.

Addressing participants of the mid-career training programme for Indian Forest Service officers in New Delhi, he acknowledged their contribution to safeguarding India’s forests, wildlife and ecological heritage. He identified human-wildlife conflict, forest fires, climate change and the need to balance development with conservation as major challenges requiring scientific approaches and community participation.

The Minister highlighted India’s progress in wildlife conservation, increasing forest and tree cover, carbon sequestration, wetland conservation and landscape restoration through citizen engagement initiatives.

Highlighting the evolving role of the Indian Forest Service, Mr Yadav urged officers to move beyond traditional regulatory functions and become leaders, innovators and facilitators of sustainable development.