MCT Participants Visit Lucknow Zoo, Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre and Miyawaki Plantation on 20.10.2026 As part of the ongoing Mid-Career Training (MCT) programme, the participants visited Lucknow Zoo (Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden) to gain practical insights into various aspects of zoo management, wildlife conservation, and public awareness initiatives. During the visit, Shri Sanjay Biswal,IFS, Director, Lucknow Zoo, and Dr. Utkarsh Shukla, Deputy Director and Veterinary Officer, were present and facilitated the participants' understanding of zoo administration, animal care and welfare, enclosure management, veterinary care, conservation education, and visitor management. The visit highlighted the role of zoological parks in wildlife conservation, research, environmental education, and raising public awareness about biodiversity. Subsequently, the participants visited the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre , where they learned about gharial conservation and rehabilitation efforts, breeding and rearing practices, habitat requirements, and the challenges associated with conserving threatened aquatic species. The visit emphasised the importance of scientific management, habitat protection, and sustained conservation interventions for the long-term survival of gharials. After lunch at Kukrail, the participants visited a Miyawaki plantation site developed under Awadh Forest Division, Lucknow, in the presence of Shri Sitanshu Pandey, DFO, Awadh Forest Division. The participants learned about this innovative approach to urban forestry, its potential for enhancing green cover, and the importance of plantation protection and maintenance for ensuring healthy plant growth and survival. The plantation, located along the Lucknow–Ayodhya Highway, has earned Third Prize under Category III – Plantation in Land Parcels at the NHAI Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026 , recognising its successful development, maintenance, and improved plant survival. The field visits provided valuable practical exposure to diverse approaches to wildlife management, species conservation, and innovative urban forestry.

IGNFA hosted 34 civil servants from 12 countries participating in the Capacity Building Programme on Urban Service Delivery, organised by the National Centre for Good Governance, Mussoorie. Addressing the delegates, Director IGNFA, Dr R.P. Khajuria, highlighted urban forestry, Nagar Van, MISHTI, Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and the role of foresters in sustainable urban service delivery. The visit also featured engaging discussions on environmental governance and shared environmental challenges across countries. #EkPedMaaKeNaam #MissionLiFE @moefcc

As part of the MCT Phase-III programme, the participants visited Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on 17-18 October and explored its diverse conservation and community engagement initiatives. The visit included the Rescue Centre, Gomti River Udgam Sthal and Namami Gange works, and interactive sessions with members of the Eco-Development Committee (EDC) and Bagh Mitras, providing valuable insights into wildlife conservation and community participation. The participants also interacted with the SSP, Pilibhit, who conducted an insightful session on Law and Order Management in Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC), highlighting the importance of interdepartmental coordination and effective conflict management. The team received a warm and gracious welcome from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, making the visit enriching, informative, and memorable. #IGNFA #MCT #PilibhitTigerReserve #IFS

The IFS 2025 Batch embarks on a two-week journey of learning and discovery at Panna! 🌿🐅 The Probationers arrived in the late afternoon of 18 October 2026, receiving a warm welcome from the MP Forest Department and Panna Park Management for the Wildlife Techniques and Protected Area Management & Species Recovery Exercise. The evening featured a comprehensive briefing on the Park and the exercise, offering a glimpse into the enriching week ahead. The Probationers were briefed by Dr K. Ramesh, Sc. F, WII & Head, SACON; Sh. Virender, Dy. Director, Panna Tiger Reserve; Dr Sankar, former Director, SACON; and the dedicated team of WII scientists and researchers. A promising beginning to two weeks of field-based learning, scientific exploration and deeper engagement with India’s rich wildlife and conservation heritage\! 🌳 #IFS2025 #PannaTigerReserve #WildlifeConservation

As part of their ongoing Thematic Tour, the IFS officers of the MCT-III (19) course undertook a comprehensive field visit to the Corbett Tiger Reserve on 15 October 2026. The delegation undertook a habitat study in the Dhela and Jhirna Safari Zones and inspected the Laldhang Grassland. The officers also visited the Corbett Interpretation Centre to evaluate wildlife education frameworks and concluded the day with an official interactive session with Corbett Tiger Reserve officials on field management strategies, anti-poaching operations, and ecological conservation challenges. #IFS #CorbettTigerReserve #MCT #ForestService #WildlifeConservation

🇮🇳✨ Celebrating the rich cultural odyssey of India! The IGNFA family came together with great gusto through its Cultural Club to celebrate Navratri, as the vibrant colours of traditional attire, the rhythmic beats of dandiyas and the joyous energy of Garba filled the air with festive fervour. 🪔 A heartfelt celebration of India’s incredible cultural diversity, where traditions transcend boundaries, communities come together, and every rhythm tells a story of our shared heritage. From the many cultural expressions of our land emerges one beautiful spirit — a nation united in its diversity, enriched by its traditions, and bound together by the threads of mutual respect, harmony and belonging. 🇮🇳✨ #IGNFA #Navratri #CulturalHeritage #UnityInDiversity

Under the guidance of Director, IGNFA, Shri Rajendra Prasad Khajuria, IGNFA successfully organised the IGNFA Volleyball Tournament, witnessing enthusiastic participation from 57th RR, IGNFA staff, FSI and ICFRE. 🏐 In an exciting final, FSI emerged victorious against Pavilion Warriors. The final was graced by the Additional Director, IGNFA and the Joint Director, Forest Survey of India. The tournament celebrated teamwork, sportsmanship and camaraderie among the participating institutions.

📊 In the afternoon of 13th October 2026, the #IFSOfficers delegation visited #NITIAayog for high-level deliberations on strategic policy frameworks, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and green growth. The officers interacted with senior leadership at NITI Aayog to discuss the role of forest administration in national policy. 🌍 #MCTPPhaseIII #SustainableDevelopment #PolicyMaking ________________________________________

🏛️ As part of the 19th Mid-Career Training Programme (MCTP) Phase-III, a delegation of #IFSOfficers visited the All India Institute of Ayurveda (#AIIA) this morning, 13th October 2026. Senior officials from AIIA welcomed the officers to deliberate on forest conservation, medicinal plant biodiversity, and traditional healthcare systems. 🌿 #ForestGovernance #Ayurveda #GovernmentOfIndia

माननीय केंद्रीय पर्यावरण, वन और जलवायु परिवर्तन मंत्री श्री भूपेंद्र यादव (@byadavbjp) जी द्वारा आज पर्यावरण, वन और जलवायु परिवर्तन मंत्रालय, नई दिल्ली में भारतीय वन सेवा (IFS) अधिकारियों के लिए 'मिड-करियर ट्रेनिंग (MCT) फेज-III (19वां) कोर्स' का उद्घाटन किया गया। इस प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम में देश भर के 18 संवर्गो से 59 वन अधिकारियों ने भाग लिया है, जो पर्यावरण शासन और सतत नेतृत्व को सुदृढ़ करने की दिशा में एक अहम कदम है। 🌿🇮🇳 #IFS #MoEFCC #नईदिल्ली #क्षमतानिर्माण #हरितभारत