The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun to launch its PG Diploma in Environmental Law (PGDEL) course for early career Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers.

The MoU is in observance and furtherance of the Government of India's Mission Karmayogi which is aimed at improving capacity building in India's Civil Services.

According to a press release by the university, the MoU was signed at the Allen and Overy Hall, Training Centre, NLSIU by Dr Bharat Jyoti IFS, Director, IGNFA, Dehradun and NLSIU Vice-Chancellor Dr Sudhir Krishnaswamy and attended by other dignitaries.

The course is offered by the University's Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) department. It intends to impart working knowledge in international and local environmental law and other allied subjects, as part of the professional training acquired by IFS officers, trainees and probationers.

Regarding the objective of the course and the MoU, the release states,

"This will make available a pool of trained and competent officers in the field of environmental law to the Government of India and the State Governments, in meeting the challenges of the environment and forestry sector, and effectively implementing Central and State legislations on the subject"

On the logistics of conducting the course, the release notes,

"The course will be conducted by NLSIU faculty at IGNFA, Dehradun and will be completed within the programme cycle of the officer trainees’ professional course. The MoU will initially be effective for a period of 5 years."