India’s environmental story is often told through policies, protected areas and conservation targets. But on the ground, it is also written by forest guards, rangers, scientists and officers who patrol difficult terrain, respond to fires, protect wildlife and work with communities. The 4th Eco Warrior Awards 2026 brought that less visible work into focus.

During the awards ceremony, Shri Yadav presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Shri Brij Kishore Singh, a 1976-batch IFS officer of the Karnataka cadre, in recognition of his decades-long contribution to forest and wildlife conservation. During his career, Singh played an important role in efforts to combat sandalwood smuggling and the activities of notorious brigand Veerappan, besides contributing to forest protection and wildlife conservation in Karnataka.

Conservation is becoming harder

At the awards and conclave in New Delhi, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav described forests as ecological infrastructure supporting water, climate, soil, biodiversity and livelihoods. He pointed to a rapidly changing conservation landscape shaped by climate change, extreme weather, forest fires, water stress, habitat fragmentation, invasive species and growing pressure on natural resources. 

The message was clear: conservation can no longer be viewed within forest boundaries alone. It increasingly requires coordination between forests, wildlife, agriculture, water, livelihoods and human settlements, with tribal and forest-dependent communities treated as partners. 

 Recognition across the frontline

Senior IFS officer Brij Kishore Singh, a 1976-batch Karnataka cadre officer, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of conservation work, including efforts against sandalwood smuggling and Veerappan’s activities. Fifteen forest officers and conservation professionals were recognised across protected-area management, wildlife protection, environment conservation, community connect, technology and other categories. 

Their work ranged from tiger protection and scientific water conservation to Amur falcon protection, grassland restoration, anti-poaching operations and AI-based elephant surveillance. Project Elephant and Rajasthan’s Great Indian Bustard conservation project also received special recognition. 

The larger lesson

The conclave’s discussions on technology, corporate participation and sustainable development point to a conservation model that must keep evolving.

From policy to the forest floor

The awards ultimately underline a simple truth: environmental protection succeeds only when responsibility travels from policy documents to the people working on the ground. Conservation is not a distant environmental concern; it is tied to water, livelihoods, climate resilience and the quality of life that communities inherit.

The event was attended by eminent personalities from the forestry and conservation sector, including Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, DG (Forests) and Special Secretary (MoEFCC); Shri Bharat Lal, Former Secretary General NHRC; Ms. Anita Karn, President, IFSA; Ms. Monalisa Dash, General Secretary, IFSA; and representatives of Indian Masterminds, among other distinguished guests.

A Message for Every Reader

The forests may belong to all of us, but their protection cannot belong to someone else. Every tree protected, every animal saved and every water source preserved safeguards a part of our own future. Conservation begins with those on the frontline—but it becomes meaningful when the rest of us choose to care, consume responsibly and leave nature with room to breathe.

 Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2316681&reg=48&lang=2

Images: https://www.pib.gov.in