75th Wildlife Week 2026 Inaugurated at Water Catchment, Dhalli

Shimla, October 2: The 75th Wildlife Week 2026 was formally inaugurated at Water Catchment, Dhalli, Shimla, by Himachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh on Friday.

Welcoming the chief guest and other dignitaries, Alok Prem Nagar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Himachal Pradesh, outlined the programmes planned throughout the week and urged people to actively participate in wildlife and forest conservation.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in wildlife conservation, public awareness and community participation. He urged the people of Himachal Pradesh to contribute towards protecting wildlife and their habitats and encouraged collective efforts at the local level.

On the occasion, team members who made notable contributions to wildlife conservation were presented certificates of appreciation and mementoes. The minister also commended the officials and staff for organising the inaugural programme.

He subsequently flagged off the cleanliness drive, conveying the message of environmental protection and cleanliness.

Senior officers and staff of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department attended the programme, 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, Range Forest Officer, along with other officials and employees.

The inauguration marked the beginning of a week-long series of programmes across Himachal Pradesh aimed at strengthening wildlife conservation, protection of wildlife habitats, public awareness and community participation.