NHRC, India and Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy successfully conclude the first collaborative programme on human rights for forest officers in Dehradun

Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 26th June, 2024

NHRC, India and Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy successfully conclude the first collaborative programme on human rights for forest officers in Dehradun

35 officers, including four lady forest officers sensitized by eminent national and international experts on diverse aspects of human rights of tribal communities, other forest dwellers, forest labourers and climate mitigation

NHRC Secretary General, Mr Bharat Lal says the Commission is partnering with all AIS national academies in developing training modules on various dimensions of human rights to build capacities of officers for protecting and promoting human rights

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), successfully concluded its first four-day residential capacity-building programme for senior Forest Officers on human rights. The programme was held from 18th to 21st June, 2024 at IGNFA, Dehradun, wherein 35 senior officers including four lady officers from various states and Union Territories participated.

The initiative aimed to integrate human rights perspectives into forest and natural resource management, policy implementation, and practices on the ground. Through about 15 sessions featuring national and international experts, the officers were sensitized on various aspects of human rights. Key topics included the protection of tribal communities and other forest dwellers, and mitigation of climate change, community welfare, and sustainable development goals aligning with national and international human rights frameworks.

Addressing the valedictory session, Dr Jagmohan, Director, IGNFA, highlighted the pivotal role of forest officers in national development and underscored the urgency to enforce human rights provisions, particularly under the Forest Rights Act. He commended NHRC’s efforts in enhancing officers’ understanding of various dimensions of human rights issues and proposed integrating a dedicated module for IFS probationers starting from the 2025 batch.

Earlier, on 18th June, 2024, Mr Bharat Lal, Secretary General, NHRC, inaugurated the programme wherein Mr Jagmohan Sharma, Director, IGNFA and Mr Ajay Bhatnagar, DG (Investigation), NHRC were also present. He emphasized the criticality of human rights education for forest officers and stressed the need to protect the rights of forest dwellers, Scheduled Tribes, and forest labourers amidst challenges posed by climate change. Mr Lal said that the Commission is partnering with various All India Services (AIS) national academies in developing training modules on various dimensions of human rights to build officers’ capacities for protecting and promoting human rights.

He urged the participants to internalize 'The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)' and other relevant laws for better understanding and appreciation of human rights. He also spoke on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and Universal Periodic Review (UPR), their role in upholding the human rights of everyone, the Indian ethos of empathy and compassion, and the constitutional framework for safeguarding human rights in the country.

The training sessions covered a range of topics, including legal frameworks, climate change impacts, and community welfare. Experts discussed the UN Human Rights Council, legal aspects of forest rights, and sustainable development goals, aiming to equip officers with comprehensive knowledge and skills. Besides the inaugural and valedictory sessions, the four days training had about 15 thematic sessions conducted by eminent national and international experts.

The day one sessions included ‘Institutional Framework for the Protection of Human Rights in India’ by Mr Bharat Lal, Secretary General of NHRC; ‘Forest Dwellers and Human Rights’ by Mr. Prashant Kumar, Member of the Central Administrative Tribunal; ‘Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and the National Human Rights Commission’ by Mr Ajay Bhatnagar, Director General (Investigation) at NHRC; and POSH Act and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation in the Official Establishment by Ms Meenakshi Negi, Member Secretary, National Commission for Women.

The day two sessions included ‘Law and the Role of a Forester – Some Thoughts’ by Mr Sanjay Upadhyay, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court. Mr Shombi Sharp, UN Coordinator in India and Ms Sreetama Guptabaya of UNDP took a session on ‘Leaving no one behind: Tribal Human Rights and Sustainability’ and ‘UN Convention on Human Rights’. Dr Leena Srivastava, Former Member of the SDG-7 Technical Advisory Group at the UN spoke on ‘Climate Change and Human Rights: International and National Experiences and Challenges’ and Mr Ashok Pai, Former PCCF of Uttarakhand addressed a session on the ‘Implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in the Context of Human Rights.’

The third day began with the session on ‘SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, its implications, and implementation in forest administration’ by Mr Sisir Ratho, Former PCCF & HOFF, Odisha. Mr Apurv Mishra, Consultant at the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) delivered a talk on ‘Tribal Rights and Economic Development’; and Dr Sanjeev Chopra, Former Director of LBSNAA addressed the participants on ‘Human Rights of People Living in and Around Forests’. The topic ‘Forest and Human Rights’ was covered by Mr C. P. Goyal, Member, Central Empowered Committee, MoEF&CC.

On the fourth day, sessions included ‘A Human Rights Perspective on Access to Information’ by Mr Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Information Commissioner, Central Information Commission; ‘SDG, Life and Human Rights’ by Mr Yugal Joshi, Advisor, NITI Aayog, and ‘Forest Frontline Workers: Challenges and Welfare’ by Mr Gaurav Bansal, Advocate Supreme Court.

In the valedictory session, Dr Sivabala S, Course Coordinator at IGNFA and Dr Mukul Trivedi, Professor (IST) and I/C Additional Director at IGNFA, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the training. Mr Yuvraj, SSP and Course Coordinator at NHRC presented a comprehensive report on the Capacity Building Programme for Forest Officers on Human Rights. Mr Dushyant Singh, DySP, NHRC recognized the role of every individual who was part of this training programme.

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