Keralam Minister promises hi-tech upgrade for Forest department

Forest Minister Shibu Baby John addressing the convocation of a newly trained batch of beat forest officers at the State Forest Training Institute at Walayar, Palakkad, on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The Keralam Forest department will be modernised with advanced technology, equipment and vehicles to meet the changing needs of forest protection, Forest Minister Shibu Baby John has said.Forest officials dealing with wild animals will be provided with safety gear and modern vehicles, including All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), he said.The Minister was addressing the convocation of a new batch of beat forest officers (BFOs) at the State Forest Training Institute at Walayar here after reviewing their passing-out parade.Human-wildlife conflictMr. John said lasting solutions to the State’s growing human-wildlife conflict could be found only with the involvement and cooperation of people living in the hilly areas. Forest Minister Shibu Baby John accepting salute at the passing-out parade of a newly trained batch of beat forest officers at the State Forest Training Institute at Walayar, Palakkad, on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Unlike regular law-enforcement agencies, the Forest department has the added responsibility of protecting nature, he said. The government would also consider increasing funds for the State Forest Training Institute at Walayar.A total of 148 BFOs completed nine months of training, including six months of forestry training and three months at the State Police Academy, Thrissur. The training covered forest-related subjects, physical fitness, discipline, karate, yoga, first aid and personality development.The batch comprised 55 men and 93 women. It included nine engineering graduates, 42 postgraduates, 72 graduates, one MPhil holder and one BAMS graduate.L. Chandrasekhar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Finance, Budget and Audit), presided over the function. Conservator of Forests (HRD) Narendranath Veluri presented the training report. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration) J. Justin Mohan administered the oath.A. Prabhakaran, MLA; Chief Conservator of Forests R. Kamalahar; Deputy Conservator of Forests Devipriya Ajith; and State Forest Training Institute Director Ravi Kumar Meena were among those who attended. Published - September 10, 2026 04:12 pm IST