The Forest Department announced its initiative to protect olive ridley turtles by establishing 16 conservation centers aimed at saving two lakh hatchlings, as highlighted during Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu's coastal tourism hub unveiling in Andhra. This move underscores the department's commitment to environmental conservation and ethical public service.

After facing backlash from environmentalists and activists over a controversial letter critiquing the Forest Rights Act (FRA), the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department withdrew the letter. This decision came after the letter, issued on April 11, raised concerns regarding provisions that could undermine the rights of tribal and traditional forest-dwelling communities.

The Forest Department in India has adopted Leopard Tech Labs' HAWK system, a smart surveillance and analytics tool designed to enhance real-time monitoring, improve staff accountability, and bolster efforts to combat wildlife crime.

The Forest Department announced the implementation of drone surveillance in forest border areas to mitigate human-animal conflict, and has initiated agreements with drone agencies while organizing meetings with tribal groups to utilize indigenous knowledge.

The article reports that only three states in India have effectively recognized Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights under the Forest Rights Act. It highlights that in many states, the Forest Department has been complicit in disregarding the rights of forest dwellers, leading to displacement and loss of indigenous control over forest lands.

The Forest Department installed an AI-enabled surveillance camera system in Mankulam to monitor wild animal movements near human settlements, aiming to reduce man-animal conflict. Developed in association with the electronics and communication wing of a local engineering college and supported by UNDP, the system uses infrared cameras and solar power to provide real‑time alerts.