By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Jun: With the present head of the Forest department (PCCF-HoFF) Ranjan Kumar Mishra set to retire at the end of this month, the process for the appointment of a new head of the Uttarakhand Forest Department is currently stated to be in advance stage. In this regard, the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) was also held, clearing the way for the selection of the next Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF HoFF). Sources said that in view of the present trend, seniority of the Indian Forest Service (IFS) cadre officers is likely to again prevail. Sources added that Kapil Lall is currently the seniormost IFS cadre officer in the state and that there is a strong likelihood of him being appointed as the next Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF).
Sources also added that alongside the change in top leadership, the department is also preparing for a broader restructuring that may result in significant changes in responsibilities and postings at both the senior and field levels. Major developments are expected in the coming days following a recent meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee convened to consider the appointment of the new PCCF and HoFF.
The meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan and was attended by the Principal Secretary (Forest), the incumbent PCCF HoFF and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) of Madhya Pradesh representing the Government of India. The committee deliberated upon the names of the department’s senior-most officers, including Kapil Lall, Neena Grewal and SP Subuddhi. PCCF Ranjan Kumar Mishra has confirmed about the DPC having been held recently in this regard.
Sources in the department as well in the government indicate that the state government is understood to be in favour of appointing the new forest chief strictly on the basis of seniority. In such a scenario, Kapil Lall has emerged as the frontrunner, being the senior-most officer among the eligible candidates. Both Kapil Lall and Neena Grewal belong to the 1993 batch of the Indian Forest Service, while SP Subuddhi is a 1994 batch officer. Both Kapil Lall and Neena Grewal have spent a considerable part of their careers on deputation and have served in various assignments outside the department.
Kapil Lall is widely regarded within the department as a firm administrator with strong organisational capabilities. Significantly, no departmental inquiry, complaint or disciplinary proceeding is pending against him, making him the strongest contender for the top post. Earlier, there had been speculation within the forest department that Lal may again seek deputation to the Government of India, a development that would have opened the door for Neena Grewal to take charge of the department. Sources claim that in view of the fact that the consensus in the DPC was reportedly in favour of Kapil Lall, Lal is likely to stay back in Uttarakhand.
One of the key factors working in his favour is the prospect of a long tenure. If appointed as the new PCCF HoFF, Kapil Lall will remain in service until 2031, enabling him to lead the department for nearly five years. Such a tenure would provide ample opportunity to implement long-term policies, institutional reforms and strategic initiatives within the forest department.
The present HoFF Ranjan Kumar Mishra is scheduled to retire on June 30. It is therefore expected that Kapil Lall may assume charge as the new head of the Uttarakhand Forest Department from 1 July.
The changes, however, are unlikely to remain confined to the position of the department head. Deliberations have also begun regarding several important portfolios, including wildlife, CAMPA, planning and Van Panchayats. Currently, Kapil Lall holds charge of CAMPA and planning, while the influential post of PCCF Wildlife and Wildlife Warden is also set to fall vacant. The position is regarded as one of the most significant assignments within the department.
On the basis of seniority, Neena Grewal is considered the strongest contender for the PCCF Wildlife post. She is presently serving on state deputation as Managing Director of the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation. Meanwhile, SP Subuddhi, the third senior-most officer in the department, is currently overseeing the Van Panchayat portfolio. As a result, both Neena Grewal and SP Subuddhi are being viewed as leading contenders for key senior-level assignments in the department.
Once these officers are entrusted with new responsibilities, their existing positions will also fall vacant, creating a cascading effect that would further lead to more changes in the postings and duties of several other officers. In addition, BK Gangte, who recently returned after completing deputation with the Government of India, is yet to be assigned a fresh responsibility. It is believed that he may either be given an important position within the department or posted on state deputation.
Preparations are also underway for a large-scale reshuffle at the field level. Departmental groundwork for transfers had already been completed and a meeting of the Civil Services Board was proposed to consider the transfer list. However, the meeting could not be held due to various reasons, resulting in the process being temporarily deferred.
Officials now expect that once the new PCCF HoFF assumes charge, the proposed transfer list will be reviewed afresh and modifications may be made in accordance with the priorities of the new leadership. Thereafter, responsibilities and postings of Conservators of Forests, Chief Conservators of Forests and several other officers are likely to be reorganised, paving the way for a comprehensive administrative overhaul within the Uttarakhand Forest Department.
