Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, presided over the 4th Eco Warrior Awards and Eco Warrior Conclave 2026 in New Delhi today. Jointly organized by the Indian Forest Service Association (IFSA) and Indian Masterminds, the prestigious event brought together senior forest officers, conservationists, scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to recognize exemplary contributions toward forest, wildlife, and environmental preservation across the nation.
During the ceremony, veteran 1976-batch IFS officer of the Karnataka cadre, B. K. Singh (Brij Kishore Singh), was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long dedication to forest and wildlife conservation. Singh played a crucial role in tackling sandalwood smuggling and leading anti-poaching operations against the notorious brigand Veerappan. Alongside him, 15 other forest officers from across India were honored for their outstanding achievements in various domains of environmental stewardship.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted that India’s forests serve as vital ecological infrastructure supporting water security, climate regulation, soil health, and biodiversity. Lauding the tireless efforts of frontline forest personnel, beat guards, and rangers, he emphasized that these dedicated individuals brave harsh conditions to turn conservation policies into reality on the ground.
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