PCCF Wildlife Ranjan Mishra has been appointed Chief Conservator of Forests (HOF). The Forest Secretary issued an order in this regard. Chief Conservator of Forests Samir Sinha retired on November 30th. In light of this, a DPC for the Chief Conservator of Forests (HOF) was held on November 25th. It is reported that Ranjan Mishra, the second-most senior officer in the Forest Department and BP Gupta, a 1992-batch IFS officer and Chief Conservator of Forests Administration, were also contenders for the post of PCCF (HOF).
The decision to appoint Mishra, a 1993-batch IFS officer, as the head of the Forest Department is the first time since the state’s formation that the most senior officer in the state has not been given the responsibility of PCCF (HOF). PCCF Gupta is due to retire on December 31st.
While PCCF Ranjan Mishra’s tenure will last until June 2026, Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal stated that a committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary. It includes the Principal Secretary Forests, the Chief Conservator of Forests, and a designated officer from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. This committee decides the name.
