Selfless Souls
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & Head of Department (HOD), Forest & Wildlife, Govt of Uttar Pradesh, Sunil Chaudhary is a dedicated and passionate forest and wildlife conservation professional with over three decades of diverse experience in forest management, wildlife protection, and ecological sustainability. He constantly seeks to further his expertise through advanced studies and research, contributing significantly to the field of environmental conservation. An MSc in Zoology from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, he has been leading the overall strategy, policy implementation, and administrative oversight for forest and wildlife conservation in Uttar Pradesh and spearheading initiatives that align with sustainable forest management and biodiversity. Earlier, as Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation, he oversaw operations aimed at enhancing the sustainability of forest resources while optimizing financial performance. As Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Monitoring & Working Plan, he Developed and monitored forest management plans that aligned with environmental and conservation goals and as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Project Tiger, Uttar Pradesh, he led strategic initiatives for tiger conservation across four reserves, successfully finalising the Ranipur Tiger Reserve Notification. He also implemented management practices that adhere to sustainable environmental protocols and organized annual wildlife and nature festivals, fostering community engagement and awareness. As Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar Pradesh he spearheaded wildlife conservation policies and projects under the Jal Jivan Mission, enhancing biodiversity in critical habitats, and oversaw the management and welfare of wildlife in alignment with state and national regulations. As Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, West, Kanpur he expanded the network of bird sanctuaries, successfully getting three sanctuaries declared Ramsar sites, led national-level bird festivals, showcasing avian diversity and promoting ecotourism. As Chief Conservator of Forests/Field Director, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Lakhimpur Kheri he managed conservation projects that achieved a significant increase in tiger population from 114 to 173 during his tenure and initiated the relocation of rhinos and the establishment of a Special Tiger Protection Force, strengthening field operations...
Q: You have been taking up the responsibility of PCCF-UP for some time. What are some of the important decisions you have made for the preservation, conservation, and protection of your forests and wildlife?
It is always the teamwork that makes dreams work. The decisions taken are merely reflective of the need of the hour to enhance forest and wildlife conservation keeping in mind the changing circumstances. The forest force has been in need of comprehensive modernisation at the grassroots to facilitate improved and speedier conservation. Modernisation of the Forest Force will not only increase the efficiency of the department but will help build a force for the state at par with other states which are doing good in the field of forest and wildlife conservation and management. Additionally, the HR-related issues of the field staff at the junior-most level will be addressed via Karmik Samasya Samadhan Samiti at every level to instill in them an increased sense of confidence and belonging.
Q: The way actual forest cover has been shrinking and the urban populace creating pressure on forest land, a result of which is the ever-increasing man-animal conflicts, how do you plan to maintain a balance and ensure that the wild animal is not always the one suffering?
UPFD is taking the following steps to Balance Human-Wildlife Interaction and Reduce Conflicts in Uttar Pradesh:
Habitat Protection and Restoration: Strengthening Protected Areas and buffer zones with their expansion where needed. Reclamation of grasslands in Terai to reduce animals from straying out.
Mitigation Infrastructure and Technology: Build wildlife-friendly structures like underpasses and overpasses and Deployment of early-warning systems (e.g., motion sensors, GPS tracking).
Community Engagement: Conduct awareness programs on wildlife behavior and conflict prevention like Bath Mitras in Pilibhit and Dudhwa. Developing eco-tourism for alternative livelihoods is helping in Dudhwa and Pilibhit greatly. Ensuring timely compensation for crop and livestock losses to reduce human anger misdirected towards wildlife.
Inter Alia, combining these strategies, Uttar Pradesh can harmonize development with biodiversity conservation and reduce human-wildlife conflicts effectively.
Q: How will the renovation and extension of Kukrail be important for our state?
Kukrail Night Safari is expected to benefit the environment, wildlife, and local communities in the following ways:
Promote conservation: The safari will help conserve biodiversity and raise awareness about wildlife and forests.
Create jobs: The project will generate employment opportunities.
Boost tourism: The safari will attract tourists from across India and abroad, helping to establish Lucknow as a unique destination.
Develop eco-tourism: The safari will help create a model for eco-tourism in India.
Improve wildlife welfare: The safari will provide a safe environment for animals to live in.
Educate visitors: The safari will include educational zones and interpretation centers to help visitors learn about animals.
Q: What effective plan have you devised for the conservation of the remaining wetlands of the state? roping in private parties in their conservation often results in their exploitation. In such a case, the onus to save the wetlands lies with you.
UP State Wetland Authority is currently finalising the ground-truthing of all the wetlands above 2.25ha irrespective of the ownership in the state and shall later work on the demarcation of wetland boundaries of each of the Wetland as well, which have been identified for the State by Space Application Center Atlas (SAC Atlas). Also, wetlands of importance are being notified by the state gazette under the Wetland Rules 2017 which shall help in protecting the wetlands better irrespective of the nature of their ownership.
Q: If you were authorised to change one important law or regulation regarding forest, wildlife, and environment protection, what would that be and why?
There are multiple laws in the field of forest, environment, and wildlife which are some of the strongest laws in the world. The UPFD is already in the process of modifying the UP Tree Protection Act 1976 to create a conducive environment for the farmers to promote Agroforestry while not compromising the spirit of the act for the greater interests of environmental and forest protection. The thrust will be more on the enforcement aspect to ensure a better implementation of the existing Forest Laws.
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