The Telangana Forest Department, also known as Ministry of Forest and Environment, is a government Department of Telangana. It is headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.[1] The primary function of this department is protection, conservation and management of forests in Telangana State.[2][3]
History
The Forest Department began a statewide "Catch the Trap" initiative in December 2023 to prevent the killing or hunting of wild animals. As part of this, foresters visited different areas to check the homes of suspects or individuals with past hunting activities, looking for hunting materials and devices.[2]
In March 2024, Konda Surekha, the Minister for Forest and Environment, announced on World Forest Day that Telangana State's forest area would be expanded from 24.05 percent to 33 percent, in accordance with the National Forest Policy, 1988.[4]
Department personnel monitor wildlife and disturbances using images captured by strategically located camera traps in the forests. However, the need to frequently replace SD cards in these cameras arises due to storage limitations.In February 2024, the department announced plans to deploy an AI-based system for wildlife conservation. This will aid in monitoring animal migration, species identification, poaching detection, and forest fire early warning.[5]
Management
The Forest Department is organised in an administrative hierarchy ranging from Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to Forest Watchers, Mahouts and others.[6]
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests is in charge of Forest Department, who must personally review, approve, and sign all significant orders, permissions, declarations and authorisations.
Protected areas
Telangana has a network of eleven sanctuaries and three national parks in the state.
