Govt rejects proposal to split Indian Forest Service

Terming wildlife and forest conservation as two sides of the same coin, the Environment Ministry has rejected a proposal to split the forest services into two services, with one looking after wildlife.

"Wildlife conservation has to take support from forest conservation only, so the two could not be separated. Hence a proposal to split the Indian Forest Services (IFS) into two have been shot down," Director General (Forest) Dileep Kumar said.


He was speaking at a meeting of the Field Directors of Tiger Reserves from different states, organised by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) here yesterday.

There had been constant demand from various NGOs to split the IFS into two services, claiming the move would ensure better management of wildlife and forest sector.

Kumar, however, made it clear that the government has no plans to do so, at least in the near future.

He also exhorted the field directors to develop wildlife management in a way which uses the stake of local communities.

"We have to be in touch with our people continuously, find ways not to create a sense of antagonism with local communities continuously. Forest department has a very characteristic way of functioning, as it is marked by high degree of isolation.

"This makes them highly dependent on local communities," the official pointed out.

He said as a small step in the direction of creating specialisation and expertise in the forest service, the ministry is planning to start three fellowships-- Hari Singh Fellowship for fresh officers, S K Fellowship and C. Ranganath Fellowship.

Kumar also pointed out that a total seven officers who passed out this year from IFS and have shown more than extraordinary interest and aptitude in wildlife, have been identified and selected for specialised training in wildlife management.