Nagpur, 10th of December, 2025 : In a move expected to improve forest governance and create long-term benefits for local communities and the general public, the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM Nagpur) on Wednesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chandrapur Forest Academy of Administration, Development, and Management (CFA). Under this collaboration, IIM Nagpur will train forest officers and government personnel in modern management practices, leadership, communication, policy analysis, and sustainability, helping them deliver services more efficiently and transparently to people.
M.S. Reddy, IFS, Chief Wildlife Warden & Additional PCCF (Wildlife) and Director of CFA, and Prof. BhimarayaMetri, Director, IIM Nagpur signed the MOU in a programme held at IIM Nagpur. CFA Principal and Additional Director Umesh Verma, senior IIM Nagpur faculty Prof. Anoop Kumar and Prof. Alok Kumar Singh, Dean of Executive Education Programmes, were present.
“IIM Nagpur is committed to contributing to national development through high-quality training and research,” said Prof. Metri. “By strengthening the management and leadership skills of forest officers, we can significantly improve how forest resources are governed, how communities are supported, and how sustainability challenges are addressed. This partnership will help ensure that the benefits of good governance reach people more effectively,” he said.
M.S. Reddy described the collaboration as a timely step for the forestry sector. “Forestry today is deeply connected with people’s lives—whether it is livelihood security, climate resilience, eco-tourism, or community participation. Working with IIM Nagpur will help our officers adopt scientific, transparent, and people-centric approaches. This will ultimately improve the services we deliver to citizens and forest-dependent communities,” he said.
Highlighting the academic significance of the initiative, Prof. Anoop Kumar said the institutions are jointly designing training programmes that combine natural resource management, leadership development, team building, sustainability, and forest-based entrepreneurship. “Our modules will focus on strengthening decision-making and helping officers work more effectively with local communities. The aim is to turn knowledge into real socio-economic impact,” he said.
Under the MoU, the two institutions will collaborate on a wide range of activities including training, research, consultancy, public policy development, sustainable forestry practices, ecosystem services, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives. They will also exchange trainees, students, and resource persons, and support each other with academic and logistical resources.
CFA, an autonomous organisation under the Maharashtra Forest Department, works to enhance education and research in forestry, environment, natural resource management, and climate change. The partnership with IIM Nagpur is expected to strengthen forest governance, boost livelihood opportunities around forest areas, improve government capacities, and support sustainable development efforts that directly touch the lives of common people across the region.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Chief Wildlife Warden & Additional PCCF (Wildlife) M.S. Reddy, andIIM Nagpur Director Prof. BhimarayaMetrihaving a warm handshake after signing an MOU while (from left) Dean of Executive Education Programmes at IIM NagpurProf. Alok Kumar Singh, senior IIM Nagpur faculty Prof. Anoop Kumar and CFA Principal and Additional Director Umesh Verma look on.
About The Author
More Stories
A Trailblazer In Digital Narratives And Cultural Promotion : Bhukhan Pathak.
Anjan Banik, Only National Awardee Science Teacher from Tripura Invited As Delegate to India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Prime Minister Modi Visits Jio AI Pavilion At India AI Impact Summit.