Uttarakhand

• 18 Feb 2025

14th Mid Career Course (Phase III)

Why in News? 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, organized a training programme for Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers as part of the 14th Mid Career Course (Phase III) at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun. 

 Key Points 

• Importance of IFS Officers: 
  • The Chairperson of NHRC emphasized the key role of Indian Forest Service officers in safeguarding the nation’s natural heritage. He highlighted their responsibility to balance development needs with conservation priorities. 
  • He stressed the need for officers to understand the historical context of forest legislation, the evolving challenges in forest management, and the relationship between law, policy, and enforcement to carry out their duties effectively. 
• Historical Evolution of Forest Legislation: 
  • The Chairman also discussed the historical development of forest legislation, from the British era to the present. The changing balance between development and conservation was also highlighted. 
  • The impact of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act on forest land acquisition was examined, which eventually led to the 2023 amendment of the Forest Conservation Act. 
• Judicial Impact on Forest Conservation: 
  • The Chairperson emphasized the role of the courts in shaping forest conservation, citing the landmark T. N. Godavarman case of 1995. This case reduced the timber industry’s detrimental effects on forest cover. 
  • The importance of strong laws and effective enforcement mechanisms was highlighted, noting that the ongoing involvement of the court through 'continuing mandamus' highlights the persistent challenges in balancing development with conservation. 

 National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) 

• About: 
  • It ensures the protection of rights related to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals. 
  • Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and international covenants enforceable by Indian courts. 
• Establishment: 
  • Established on 12^th October 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993. 
  • Amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006, and Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019. 
  • Established in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted for promoting and protecting human rights. 

 Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy 

• It is a forest service training institute under the Ministry of Environment and Forests of India, which was originally as Indian Forest College, established in 1938 for training of senior forest officers. 
• It is situated in the New Forest campus of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.