IFS Trainee Officers Study Groundwater Conservation Works in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, March 2026: The initiatives undertaken by the Forest Department in Chhattisgarh in the field of water and soil conservation are increasingly becoming examples at the national level. To study these initiatives, 133 trainee officers of the 2025–26 batch of the Indian Forest Service from the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, have arrived in the state on a study tour.

The team is visiting various regions of the state from March 8 to March 15 to examine groundwater conservation and water augmentation works carried out by the Forest Department.

As part of the first phase of the training programme, the trainee officers visited the Pampar Nala area in the South Singpur range on March 9. During the visit, officials explained how technical measures have been implemented to prevent soil erosion and increase groundwater levels in the region.

Senior officials, including Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shalini Raina and Chief Conservator of Forests Manivasan S., briefed the trainees in detail about the conservation work being undertaken in the area.

Divisional Forest Officer of the Dhamtari forest division, Jadhav Shrikrishna, informed the trainees that structures such as brushwood check dams, loose boulder structures and gabion structures have been built in the Pampar Nala region. These measures have helped reduce soil erosion and improved water availability for irrigation for local villagers. They have also ensured year-round water supply for wildlife in the surrounding forest areas.

For effective training, the trainee officers have been divided into eight groups. Each group is being guided by experienced Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) from different districts of the state.

During the study tour, the delegation will also visit Kusumpani, Kansa and Sajapani nalas to observe additional water conservation works. The trainees will further visit the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra at Dugli to learn about new techniques related to forest management.

Officials said the study tour reflects how Chhattisgarh’s efforts in water and soil conservation are emerging as a model for the rest of the country.