By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 17 Jan: Central Academy for State Forest Service (CASFOS) is holding a 3-day training programme from 17 to 19 January for Judicial Officers, Legal Advisors, Police Officers on the theme “Legal Issues in Forests, Wildlife”. The programme is sponsored by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
Thirty participants are attending the training module. Forests are important for the survival of all living beings. They are vital for life as they provide oxygen, food, shelter, fuel and means of livelihood for the people living in and around the forest area. About 31% of the earth’s surface is covered with forests, which support 80% of terrestrial biodiversity and are indispensable for maintaining ecological balance. But, as the modern age gains momentum, the rate at which the forests are declining is increasing by the day. The other reason for decline in forests is due to various problems like forest fires, illicit felling, encroachment, etc. Conservation of Forests and Wildlife is the need of the hour without which the existence of mankind is jeopardised. Even though the Forest and Environment Department is mandated with conservation of Forests, Wildlife and Environment, the conservation efforts can maximise only with effective implementation of various acts and laws of forests. The active role of the legal functionaries like lawyers, Police officers, legal advisors, etc., is very much crucial for the implementation of forest acts and create deterrence to the offenders, which in turn paves the way for conservation.
RK Upadhyay, former PCCF, Tamil Nadu, was the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the training workshop. In his keynote address he emphasised various principles like natural justice, doctrine of estoppel, etc.
Meenakshi Joshi, Principal, Central Academy for State Forest Service, Dehradun, Dr T Beula Ezhil Mathi, Course Director, and faculty members welcomed the Chief Guest and participants on this occasion.
