Shimla, October 2, 2026
The forests and wildlife of Himachal Pradesh took centre stage on Friday as the state formally launched the 75th Wildlife Week 2026 with a message that conservation cannot succeed without active participation from local communities.
The week-long programme was inaugurated by Himachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh at the Water Catchment area in Dhalli, Shimla. The event brought together senior Forest Department officials, wildlife personnel and conservation teams to underline the need for protecting wildlife, forests and their habitats.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Himachal Pradesh, highlighted the activities planned throughout Wildlife Week. He also appealed to people to become active partners in protecting the state’s forests and wildlife.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Anirudh Singh appreciated the efforts of the Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in promoting wildlife conservation, creating awareness and strengthening public participation.
He called upon people across Himachal Pradesh to take responsibility for protecting wildlife and their natural habitats, stressing that conservation efforts can be strengthened when communities work collectively at the local level.
The minister also congratulated wildlife officials and employees for their continued efforts and for organising the Wildlife Week inauguration programme.
As part of the programme, team members who have made notable and dedicated contributions to wildlife conservation were honoured with appreciation certificates and mementoes.
The minister also congratulated the teams involved in making arrangements for the inaugural event.
Cleanliness Campaign Flagged Off
The programme then moved from words to action, with the minister flagging off a cleanliness campaign.
The initiative carried a dual message of environmental responsibility and wildlife protection, highlighting the importance of clean and healthy surroundings for both people and wildlife.
The inaugural ceremony marked the beginning of a week-long programme across Himachal Pradesh focused on wildlife conservation, protection of habitats, public awareness and community participation.
The message from Shimla was clear: protecting wildlife is not only the responsibility of the Forest Department,it requires collective action from society.
The inauguration was attended by several senior officers of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, including K. Thirumal, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife); Preeti Bhandari, IFS, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife Circle), Shimla; Dr Shahnawaz Bhat, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division Shimla; Aniket Maruti Vanwe, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Shimla Rural; Devendra Singh Chauhan, HPFS, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Publicity Division); and Rupendra Sharma, Forest Range Officer.
