The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, in collaboration with the Department of Forest, organised a Legal Awareness Programme at Van Sadan, Sri Vijaya Puram. The initiative aimed to educate participants on key legislations, including the Indian Forest Act, 1927; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; Forest Rights Act, 2006; Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016; and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act.
The programme was presided over by Sanjay Kumar Sinha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, who highlighted the importance of legal compliance in forest and environmental protection. Niyaz Alam, Additional District Judge, provided a detailed explanation of the POSH Act, stressing workplace safety and the legal obligations of organisations.
Samrat Roy, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary of the DLSA, guided participants through the procedures for handling forest-related cases, including case documentation and step-by-step courtroom processes. The discussions underscored the significance of enforcing forest laws while ensuring accountability in the administration of environmental regulations.
Senior officials from the Forest Department attended the programme, including Divisional Forest Officers, Assistant Conservators of Forests, Range Officers, and other executive staff from various divisions. The event also saw participation from the PRAYAS JAC delegation, including Regional Head Marya Sheela and Advisor K. Vijay Kumar, who engaged with officials on legal compliance and community awareness initiatives.
The programme opened with a welcome address by S. K. Thomas, Conservator of Forests (HQ), and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. A. Anil Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial). The event combined legal instruction with practical guidance, aiming to strengthen the understanding and enforcement of forest and environmental laws among officials across the islands.
The awareness drive emphasised the dual importance of protecting natural resources and ensuring workplace safety under the POSH Act. Officers were encouraged to implement the learnings in their respective divisions to promote sustainable forestry practices and prevent violations.
The initiative also highlighted the role of legal literacy in fostering accountability and compliance within government departments. Participants acknowledged the value of such programmes in bridging knowledge gaps and equipping officials with actionable insights to manage forest-related and workplace issues effectively.
The Legal Awareness Programme reflects ongoing efforts by the Andaman & Nicobar administration to integrate legal education into departmental operations, ensuring adherence to national legislation and promoting environmental sustainability across the islands.
