Government of Maharashtra, on Tuesday, declared forest medals to honour outstanding employees of the Forest Department for their exceptional work during the years 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-2023. Chandrapur Forest Academy of Administration and Management (CFAAM), a nationally recognised institution, selected 76 forest employees throughout the State, ranging from forest guards to deputy conservators of forests, working across various wings such as territorial, wildlife, social forestry, and the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) for these medals. The gold and silver medals were declared to those employees who did exceptional work in six categories -- wildlife conservation, wildlife management, development projects, bravery, forest products and expansion of forest areas.

 

Total 30 forest employees were named for these medals for the year 2020-21. Similarly, 18 foresters were selected for 2021-22 and 30 forest men were named for the year 2022-23. Dr Bharat Singh Hada, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Nagpur and Acting Deputy Director, Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) bagged the gold medal in wildlife conservation category for the year 2021-22. Forest guard Nilesh Gulabrao Shrirame of Nagpur Forest Division won the silver medal in wildlife conservation category for the year 2021-22. In the year 2022-23, Nagpur Forest Division bagged a total of seven medals in different categories. Triveni Ghanshyam Gaidhane and Mahadev Rakhmaji Mundhe, both forest guards from Nagpur Forest Division bagged gold medals in wildlife conservation category. Round officer Shaileshkumar Gulab Pardhi also pocketed gold medal in the same category. Ranger Sanjay Tarachand Mendhe won silver medal for his commendable work in wildlife conservation.

 

In wildlife management category, round officer Sanjay Vitthalrao Parekar won gold medal and ranger Mangesh Madhukar Tathe also bagged gold in the same category. G S More, a forest guard and employee of FDCM, won silver medal in forest products category. Similarly, 10 forest employees from Chandrapur forest division were named for the medals, whereas 11 from Amravati, 6 from Yavatmal, and 3 from Gadchiroli forest division bagged the medals from Vidarbha region.