Pawan Kalyan honours Andhra Pradesh forest martyrs on State Forest Martyrs Day
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan marked State Forest Martyrs Day on 10 November by honouring forest personnel who died protecting nature — including IFS officer P. Srinivas, killed by Veerappan in 1991 — and called for making frontline forest workers' safety and dignity a 'collective priority.'
Key Takeaways
Pawan Kalyan , Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Minister of Andhra Pradesh , paid tributes to forest martyrs on 10 November 2026 .
State Forest Martyrs Day in Andhra Pradesh honours P.
Srinivas , a Karnataka cadre IFS officer from Rajahmundry , killed by smuggler Veerappan in 1991 .
Kalyan called for frontline forest workers' safety, welfare and dignity to remain a collective priority.
National Forest Martyrs Day is observed on 11 September , linked to the Khejarli Massacre of 1730 in which 363 Bishnoi community members died protecting trees.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forests and Environment Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, paid solemn tributes to forest personnel who lost their lives while protecting the state's forests, wildlife, and natural heritage, on the occasion of State Forest Martyrs Day. The tribute was posted through the Deputy CMO's official social media handle.
Pawan Kalyan's Tribute
In his message, Pawan Kalyan said, 'The forests we protect today are the legacy we leave for generations tomorrow. Those who gave their lives defending them have secured a legacy that time can never erase.' He further stated, 'On State Forest Martyrs Day, I pay my deepest tributes to the brave forest personnel of Andhra Pradesh who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty while safeguarding our forests, wildlife and natural heritage.'
Acknowledging the dangers faced by those still on duty, he added, 'I also salute every forest officer and frontline personnel who continue to serve in challenging and vulnerable conditions. Their safety, welfare and dignity must remain our collective priority.'
Why Andhra Pradesh Marks November 10
The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department observes State Forest Martyrs Day on 10 November every year in remembrance of P. Srinivas, a Karnataka cadre Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer originally from Rajahmundry. Srinivas was killed by notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan in the Namadalli forest range in Chamrajnagar district, Karnataka, in 1991 — a killing that became a defining moment in India's history of forest protection.
National Forest Martyrs Day and Its Origins
Beyond the state observance, National Forest Martyrs Day is commemorated annually on 11 September, honouring forest guards, rangers, and officers across the country who died in the line of duty. The national day is historically tied to the Khejarli Massacre of 1730, when 363 members of the Bishnoi community sacrificed their lives to protect the Kejarli trees in the Marwar Kingdom — one of the earliest recorded acts of organised environmental sacrifice in the subcontinent.
The Broader Context
Forest personnel in India continue to operate under significant risk, often confronting poachers, encroachers, and organised smuggling networks in remote terrain with limited support. This comes amid ongoing national conversations about strengthening protections and welfare measures for frontline conservation workers. Pawan Kalyan's remarks signal the state government's intent to keep frontline forest personnel welfare at the centre of its environmental policy agenda.
Point of View
Welfare and dignity must remain our collective priority.' Andhra Pradesh's forest workforce, like those across India, operates in genuinely hostile conditions with limited institutional protection. Whether this Day translates into measurable welfare improvements — better equipment, risk pay, or legal protection for field staff — will be the real test of the sentiment expressed. The tribute to P. Srinivas, killed over three decades ago, is a reminder that the structural vulnerabilities he faced have not been fully resolved.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Andhra Pradesh observe State Forest Martyrs Day on November 10?
Andhra Pradesh observes State Forest Martyrs Day on 10 November to commemorate IFS officer P. Srinivas from Rajahmundry, who was killed by sandalwood smuggler Veerappan in the Namadalli forest range in Karnataka's Chamrajnagar district in 1991. The day honours all forest personnel who died protecting the state's forests and wildlife.
What did Pawan Kalyan say on State Forest Martyrs Day?
Pawan Kalyan paid tributes to forest personnel who made the supreme sacrifice and called for the safety, welfare, and dignity of frontline forest workers to remain a collective priority. He also said their sacrifice would 'forever inspire our commitment to preserve' nature.
What is the difference between State Forest Martyrs Day and National Forest Martyrs Day?
Andhra Pradesh's State Forest Martyrs Day falls on 10 November, specific to the memory of IFS officer P. Srinivas. National Forest Martyrs Day is observed on 11 September across India, commemorating the Khejarli Massacre of 1730 in which 363 Bishnoi community members died protecting trees in the Marwar Kingdom.
Who was P. Srinivas and why is he remembered?
P. Srinivas was a Karnataka cadre IFS officer originally from Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, who was killed by notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan in 1991 while on duty in the Namadalli forest range, Chamrajnagar district, Karnataka. His sacrifice is commemorated annually by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.
What is the Khejarli Massacre of 1730?
The Khejarli Massacre of 1730 was an event in the Marwar Kingdom in which 363 members of the Bishnoi community gave their lives to protect Kejarli trees from being felled. It is regarded as one of the earliest recorded acts of organised environmental sacrifice in the subcontinent and is the basis for India's National Forest Martyrs Day on 11 September.
