Gandhinagar, Sep 11 — Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday paid tribute to forest personnel who lost their lives protecting forests and wildlife, marking National Forest Martyrs’ Day at the Vanpal Memorial in Gandhinagar.
CM Patel, accompanied by Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State, Pravin Mali, paid floral tributes to the forest martyrs and observed a two-minute silence along with forest officials and personnel.
Since 1981, around 11 forest personnel in Gujarat have sacrificed their lives while protecting forests and wildlife, according to the state government.
The Chief Minister commended their dedication to duty and remembered their contribution to forest and wildlife conservation.
The Chief Minister also met the family of Vyara Range Forest Officer Vikas Desai, who recently died while attempting to prevent the illegal transportation of timber.
CM Patel expressed condolences to the family and handed over Rs 50 lakh from the Benevolent Fund as financial assistance.
The Chief Minister also felicitated forest personnel Kalu Parmar, who was injured in a human-lion conflict on July 6 this year. CM Patel presented him with a cheque for Rs two lakh as assistance.
National Forest Martyrs’ Day is observed every year on September 11 to honour forest guards, foresters and range forest officers who have lost their lives while protecting forests and wildlife.
The occasion also seeks to promote awareness and commitment towards forest and wildlife conservation.
MLA Rita Patel; City Organisation President Dr Ashish Dave; Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department, R.C. Meena; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Dr Jaipal Singh; Chairman of the All India Forest Association, Delhi, and officials from the forest departments of Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttarakhand were among those present.
A large number of forest personnel also attended the event and paid tribute to their colleagues who died in the line of duty.