- IIT Gandhinagar launches future-ready green training programme
- Week-Long upskilling push brings ai, drones, forensics & carbon tools to India’s forest cadre
- Bridging development and conservation for India’s Vision 2047
NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, DEC 9
In a decisive step to strengthen India’s environmental governance, IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) has launched a week-long high-tech training programme to equip Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers with the next generation of skills required to safeguard the country’s forests and wildlife in an era of rapid development.
Opening the programme, Prof C N Pandey, Professor of Practice, Earth Sciences and Coordinator, Dr Kiran C Patel Centre for Sustainable Development (KPCSD), emphasised the need for smarter, technology-led ecological management.
“As India moves swiftly toward its development goals, the real challenge is ensuring that growth and conservation move together,” he said.
Organised by KPCSD with support from the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), the training is being held from December 8 to 12, with senior faculty members including Prof R N Singh and Prof Vikrant Jain participating at the inaugural session.
A Green Curriculum Powered by Technology
Co-coordinator Prof Sameer Patel outlined the scope of the programme, highlighting how it introduces officers to advanced conservation technologies.
“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,” he said.
“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 course, titled ‘Cutting-edge Techniques and Technologies for Forests and Wildlife Conservation and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals,’ offers modules on:
- Carbon sequestration by mangroves
- Sloth bear and big cat conservation
- Drone-based monitoring of forests
- Forest carbon accounting
- Digital platforms for forest administration
- Wildlife forensics
- AI-driven monitoring systems
- Remote-sensing applications
- Strategies for man–animal conflict management
IFS officers from multiple states are participating, strengthening cross-learning and building a pan-India conservation perspective.
Upskilling India’s Green Guardians
Prof Pandey stressed the urgent need for continuous upskilling to address the complexities of modern natural resource management.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He added that the programme aligns with the long-term vision of preparing the IFS to contribute to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, where industrialisation and ecological balance must coexist.
The course features horizontal and vertical learning components, enabling knowledge exchange between senior and mid-career officers.
Strengthening Forest Institutions
On December 9, a panel discussion focusSING on capacity-building for State Forest Departments, with senior officials from the Forest & Environment Department, Government of Gujarat, interacting with participants was held. The dialogue explored how stronger institutional frameworks can drive effective conservation outcomes and accelerate sustainable development goals.
The week-long training will conclude on December 12, marking a significant step in preparing India’s frontline environmental officers to protect Mother Nature using future-ready, science-backed, tech-enabled tools.
