“As India moves swiftly toward its development goals, the real challenge is ensuring that growth and conservation move together,” said Prof C N Pandey, Professor of Practice, Earth Sciences (Jointly with Humanities and Social Sciences department) and Coordinator, Dr Kiran C Patel Centre for Sustainable Development (KPCSD), at the inauguration of a one-week training programme for Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers held at IIT Gandhinagar on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Organised by IITGN’s KPCSD and supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), the programme will run from December 8 to 12. Senior faculty members, including Prof R N Singh and Prof Vikrant Jain were present during the inaugural session.
Speaking at the event, Prof Sameer Patel, Co-Coordinator of the Centre, said, “The programme covers a wide range of technical and hands-on sessions; from AI, drones, remote sensing, and digital tools for forest and wildlife conservation to field visits and exposure to state-of-the-art forensic technologies. As academics, we rarely get the chance to engage so closely with officers working on the ground, and this interaction helps ensure our research remains relevant and impactful.”
The training, titled ‘Cutting-edge Techniques and Technologies for Forests and Wildlife Conservation and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals’, has brought together IFS officers from various states for sessions on emerging tools and scientific approaches. The modules include carbon sequestration by mangroves, sloth bear conservation, forest carbon accounting, digital platforms for forest administration, drone-based monitoring, remote sensing, wildlife forensics, big cat conservation technologies, and AI-driven forest and wildlife monitoring systems.
Highlighting the programme’s goals, Prof Pandey said, “This programme brings officers from across India together to learn from each other and understand emerging national priorities. As the country moves rapidly towards its development goals, the real challenge is ensuring that growth and conservation go hand in hand. Modern forestry and wildlife management now demand smarter designs, stronger scientific understanding, and the use of advanced technologies—whether for carbon accounting, biodiversity monitoring, or managing man–animal conflict. Platforms like this help us update our skills, adopt new tools such as AI, drones, and remote sensing, and work collaboratively to protect our natural systems while supporting the nation’s progress.”
Further addressing the participants, he emphasised capacity building and natural resource management as key priorities. He also highlighted the role of forests in water conservation and the importance of sustainable development in a rapidly changing world. Designed to refresh knowledge annually, the programme has horizontal and vertical components, and includes senior officers to encourage cross-learning.
Prof Pandey noted that the training aligns with the service’s long-term vision of contributing to the nation’s goal of becoming a developed country by 2047. Achieving this vision, he said, requires massive industrialisation and infrastructure development while ensuring that progress coexists harmoniously with nature. Officers are encouraged to propose innovative designs and solutions that respond to global changes in forestry and natural resource management.
The programme also features Panel discussion tomorrow on December 9, 2025 focusing on strengthening the capacities of State Forest Departments. Senior officials from the Forests & Environment Department, Government of Gujarat, will interact with the participants. The discussion will highlight how improved institutional capacity can support effective conservation outcomes and broader sustainable development goals. The training programme will conclude on December 12.