1 day ago
Gujarat CM Honors Forest Martyrs, Announces Aid for Families
Gujarat held a ceremony to remember forest workers who died while protecting nature and wildlife.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the event in Gandhinagar.
Officials placed flowers at the Forest Martyrs Memorial and observed two minutes of silence.
The state said about 11 forest personnel have died in Gujarat since 1981.
Vikas Desai, a forest officer, died while trying to stop illegal timber transportation.
His family received Rs 50 lakh in assistance.
Kalu Parmar, a forest worker injured in a human-lion conflict, received Rs 2 lakh.
Officials also discussed ways to make forest workers safer and better supported.
National Forest Martyrs’ Day is observed every year on September 11.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid tribute to forest personnel at the Forest Martyrs Memorial in Gandhinagar.
Gujarat said around 11 forest personnel have died protecting forests and wildlife since 1981.
The state provided Rs 50 lakh from the Benevolent Fund to Vikas Desai’s family.
Forest staff member Kalu Parmar received Rs 2 lakh after being injured in a human-lion conflict.
Officials called for stronger field-level capacity, safety, welfare and resources for frontline forest personnel.
- Who
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, forest ministers, officials, forest personnel, and families of forest martyrs.
- What
- Gujarat observed National Forest Martyrs’ Day, honoured deceased forest personnel, and provided financial assistance to Vikas Desai’s family and Kalu Parmar.
- Where
- The Forest Martyrs Memorial, also called the Vanpal Memorial, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- When
- Friday, September 11; National Forest Martyrs’ Day is observed annually on September 11.
- Why
- To honour personnel who died protecting forests and wildlife and discuss improved safety, welfare and resources for frontline staff.
Key facts
- Event
- National Forest Martyrs’ Day ceremony
- Location
- Forest Martyrs Memorial, Gandhinagar
- Forest personnel deaths since 1981
- Around 11 in Gujarat
- Aid to Vikas Desai’s family
- Rs 50 lakh from the Benevolent Fund
- Aid to Kalu Parmar
- Rs 2 lakh
- Kalu Parmar’s injury
- Injured in a human-lion conflict on July 6
- Focus of discussions
- Field capacity, safety, welfare, resources and working conditions
Quotes
Bhupendra Patel
Gujarat chief minister who reported the tributes on X
“Financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh from the benevolent fund was presented to the family of the late Vikas Desai, an RFO from Vyara who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and assistance of Rs 2 lakh was provided to Kalu Parmar, a forest staff member injured during an encounter with a wild animal.”
theprint.in
“On the occasion of ‘National Forest Martyrs Day’, heartfelt tributes were paid to the brave martyrs of the Forest Department who made the ultimate sacrifice for the protection of nature and wildlife at the ‘Forest Martyrs Memorial’ in Gandhinagar.”
theprint.in
Sources
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