PNS | DEHRADUN
The 23rd Sanjay Kumar Singh Memorial Day was held at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) here on Saturday to honour the life and sacrifices of late Sanjay Kumar Singh who gave his life while serving the nation in his role as an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer.
Born in 1967 in Belhami Jairam village, Sitamarhi, Bihar, Singh demonstrated exceptional academic brilliance and a deep commitment to public service from an early age. After completing his education at IIT Delhi and JNU, he joined the IFS in 1991. As Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Garhwa, Hazaribagh, and Sahabad (Sasaram), he took on the responsibility of protecting the environment and fighting against illegal activities, especially illegal mining, stone quarrying, and deforestation.
His tenure in Sahabad, known for illegal stone quarrying and encroachment, marked the beginning of his battle against the powerful mafia networks exploiting forest resources. On December 11, 2000, Singh was posted as DFO in Sasaram, where he initiated a massive operation to dismantle the illegal mining mafia operating in the region.
Despite facing significant opposition and threats to his life, he remained undeterred, personally leading operations to protect the forest land and restore encroached areas. His bravery was evident on January 30, 2002, when his team came under attack from a mob influenced by the quarrying mafia. He continued his work with steadfast dedication, even as he faced increasing challenges. On February 15, 2002, while in the line of duty, Singh was martyred while battling the illegal mining mafia. The memorial ceremony here was attended by his parents along with other family members.
