Chikaldhara: Van Shahid Smarak has been inaugurated at Chikhaldara Forest Park, on National Forest Martyrs Day on Wednesday. The memorial is built by Melghat Tiger Reserve in the memory of Forest Department’s employees who have laid their lives to protect forest and wildlife. It is now open for public.
Names of the four forest martyrs namely Tryambak Bharti, Field Officer, Najir Mohamamd, Field Officer, Abhish Wakode, Forest Guard, and Sudhakar Dhemre, labourer, who had died while protecting forests and wildlife in Melghat, have their names engraved on the memorial.
National Forest Martyr Day is observed on September 11 in memory of the 360 people of Bishnoi tribe who had been killed on the same day in 1730. The incident had taken place at Khejarli, now in Rajasthan, when they objected to the felling of Khejri trees by the king of Jodhpur.
Vinod Shivkumar, Deputy Forest Conservator, Googamal Wildlife Department, Talathim Assistant Conservator of Forest, Googamal Wildlife Department, Thigale, Assistant Forest Conservator, Training Institute, Chikhaldara, Vishwanath Chavan, Narnala Range Forest Officer, Dr Mayur Bhailume, Chikhalra Range Forest Officer, Baraskar, General Secretary of Vanpal Vanrakshak Sanghatana and forest employees and guides were present for the programme.
Guard of honour was offered to the forest martyrs and family members of four forest martyr. Vivek Yewatkar, Forester conducted proceedings of the programme and also proposed a vote of thanks. Chikhaldara Forest Guide Association and Chikhaldara Forest Department took efforts for the success of the programme.