51% of all new forest dept jobs to be reserved for women: Naik

Chandrapur: In a landmark step towards gender inclusivity in forest governance, Maharashtra forest minister Ganesh Naik on Thursday announced that henceforth, 51% of all new recruitments in the forest department will be reserved for women.Naik made this announcement while inaugurating two-day national conference ‘Van Shakti 2025' in Chandrapur, focused on recognising and amplifying role of women in forest conservation and management.Addressing a packed audience of IFS officers, frontline workers, self-help group members, and eco-tourism stakeholders, the minister urged women to step forward and actively participate in the forestry sector. The conference, themed around empowering women across the forestry spectrum, aims to foster dialogue, share experiences, and co-develop a policy paper that enhances equitable participation of women. It also seeks to explore legal and structural reforms for their professional growth in the sector.Addressing media persons on the sidelines, Naik also clarified the department's stand on transferring captured wild animals to private zoos, a topic recently raised in a meeting at the Mantralaya. "While some MLAs have suggested handing over injured or mentally unstable tigers to private facilities for treatment, we will strictly follow central govt regulations before taking any such decision," he said.Land identified for ‘Suryatara' wildlife rehab centre: Naik also disclosed developments regarding the proposed ‘Suryatara' wildlife rehabilitation centre on the lines of Gujarat's ‘Vantara'. "We have identified land in Thane and have also corresponded with Anant Ambani, director on the boards of Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, and brain behind ‘Vantara' project. A team of senior forest officials will study and take the project forward within legal frameworks," Naik stated.AI-backed surveillance to curb human-wildlife conflict: In view of increasing human-wildlife conflicts, especially in vulnerable districts like Chandrapur, Naik announced deployment of AI-backed surveillance technologies. "We will install camera systems integrated with alarms in sensitive forest pockets to immediately alert residents about predator movement," he said. Other mitigation steps include solar and chain-link fencing, and habitat development to reduce the outflow of herbivores.The minister also directed forest secretary Mahesh Mhaisekar to draw up a proposal to scrap all 10-year-old vehicles in the department and replace them with sturdy, new ones for frontline staff. "It was during my earlier tenure in 1995 that vehicles were first introduced for forest officers. Today, we're taking that commitment further," he said.Firearms to officers, junior staff in vulnerable pockets: Forest minister also assured to provide firearms to all officers and even junior staff in vulnerable pockets, in coming days.11 crore tree plantation initiative: Naik also informed about a mega 11 crore tree plantation initiative across Maharashtra. He also announced that the number of honorary wildlife wardens will be increased, with plans to appoint wardens at taluka level instead of existing district-level model.The conference was attended by a host of dignitaries on dais, including MLAs Kishor Jorgewar, Devrao Bhongale, and Karan Deotale, upper chief secretary Milind Maheshkar, PCCF and head of Forest Force Shomita Biswas, PCCF (wildlife) Kanchan Devi, Telangana PCCF Dr Suvarna C, and Chandrapur CCF Jitendra Ramgaonkar. Chief secretary Sunita Saunik addressed the gathering virtually.Chandrapur: In a landmark step towards gender inclusivity in forest governance, Maharashtra forest minister Ganesh Naik on Thursday announced that henceforth, 51% of all new recruitments in the forest department will be reserved for women.Naik made this announcement while inaugurating two-day national conference ‘Van Shakti 2025' in Chandrapur, focused on recognising and amplifying role of women in forest conservation and management.Addressing a packed audience of IFS officers, frontline workers, self-help group members, and eco-tourism stakeholders, the minister urged women to step forward and actively participate in the forestry sector. The conference, themed around empowering women across the forestry spectrum, aims to foster dialogue, share experiences, and co-develop a policy paper that enhances equitable participation of women. It also seeks to explore legal and structural reforms for their professional growth in the sector.Addressing media persons on the sidelines, Naik also clarified the department's stand on transferring captured wild animals to private zoos, a topic recently raised in a meeting at the Mantralaya. "While some MLAs have suggested handing over injured or mentally unstable tigers to private facilities for treatment, we will strictly follow central govt regulations before taking any such decision," he said.Land identified for ‘Suryatara' wildlife rehab centre: Naik also disclosed developments regarding the proposed ‘Suryatara' wildlife rehabilitation centre on the lines of Gujarat's ‘Vantara'. "We have identified land in Thane and have also corresponded with Anant Ambani, director on the boards of Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, and brain behind ‘Vantara' project. A team of senior forest officials will study and take the project forward within legal frameworks," Naik stated.AI-backed surveillance to curb human-wildlife conflict: In view of increasing human-wildlife conflicts, especially in vulnerable districts like Chandrapur, Naik announced deployment of AI-backed surveillance technologies. "We will install camera systems integrated with alarms in sensitive forest pockets to immediately alert residents about predator movement," he said. Other mitigation steps include solar and chain-link fencing, and habitat development to reduce the outflow of herbivores.The minister also directed forest secretary Mahesh Mhaisekar to draw up a proposal to scrap all 10-year-old vehicles in the department and replace them with sturdy, new ones for frontline staff. "It was during my earlier tenure in 1995 that vehicles were first introduced for forest officers. Today, we're taking that commitment further," he said.Firearms to officers, junior staff in vulnerable pockets: Forest minister also assured to provide firearms to all officers and even junior staff in vulnerable pockets, in coming days.11 crore tree plantation initiative: Naik also informed about a mega 11 crore tree plantation initiative across Maharashtra. He also announced that the number of honorary wildlife wardens will be increased, with plans to appoint wardens at taluka level instead of existing district-level model.The conference was attended by a host of dignitaries on dais, including MLAs Kishor Jorgewar, Devrao Bhongale, and Karan Deotale, upper chief secretary Milind Maheshkar, PCCF and head of Forest Force Shomita Biswas, PCCF (wildlife) Kanchan Devi, Telangana PCCF Dr Suvarna C, and Chandrapur CCF Jitendra Ramgaonkar. Chief secretary Sunita Saunik addressed the gathering virtually.