The Chhattisgarh government has implemented a significant reshuffle within the Forest Department, transferring 13 Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers across various key positions. The official transfer orders were issued by the Under Secretary of the Forest Department, Dr. Chandravanshi. This reshuffle aims to strengthen administration and enhance operational efficiency in forest and wildlife management across the state.
Notable Transfers and New Appointments
Among the officers transferred–
Rajesh Kumar Chandele (2003 batch) moves from Member Secretary of the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board, Nava Raipur, to become Chief Forest Conservator (Regional) and Chief Forest Conservator in Charge, Action Plan Board in Kanker.
S. Venkatachalam (2005 batch) has been shifted from Chief Forest Conservator (Forest Mission) and Principal Chief Forest Conservator at Aranya Bhawan, Nava Raipur, to Chief Forest Conservator (Administration) and Director of Guru Ghasidas Tiger Reserve, Ambikapur. He has also been given additional charge as Chief Forest Conservator (Elephant), Surguja.
Dr. K. Macchio (2006 batch) is now Chief Forest Conservator (Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation), Nava Raipur, moving from Durg Circle.
Matheswaran V. (2006 batch) has been transferred to Chief Forest Conservator (Biodiversity Conservation), Nava Raipur from Surguja.
M. Mercibella (2007 batch) moves to Chief Forest Conservator (Regional), Durg, from Regional General Manager, State Forest Development Corporation, Nava Raipur.
Manoj Kumar Pandey (2007 batch) becomes Chief Forest Conservator (Regional), Bilaspur, previously Regional General Manager, Forest Development Corporation, Bilaspur.
Alok Kumar Tiwari (2007 batch) has been appointed Chief Forest Conservator (Regional), Jagdalpur from Aranya Bhawan, Nava Raipur.
Amitabh Bajpai (2007 batch), formerly in the Secretariat, is now Chief Forest Conservator (Coordination), Nava Raipur.
Ramesh Chandra Dugga (2007 batch) has been reassigned as Chief Forest Conservator (Eco-tourism), Nava Raipur, from Jagdalpur.
Dilraj Prabhakar (2008 batch) moves from Kanker to Chief Forest Conservator (Regional), Surguja.
Abhishek Kumar Singh (2009 batch) becomes Chief Forest Conservator, Wildlife and Area Director of Achanakmar Reserve, Bilaspur, previously posted in Nava Raipur.
Manivasagan S. (2009 batch) will now be Chief Forest Conservator (Regional), Raipur, moving from Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation, Nava Raipur.
Stylo Mandvi (2011 batch) is now in charge of Chief Forest Conservator, Action Plan Division, Jagdalpur, moving from Indravati Tiger Reserve.
Administrative Tightening to Boost Efficiency
The government expects these strategic transfers to enhance the pace, transparency, and effectiveness of the Forest Department’s work. With officers being placed in critical districts and roles, the reshuffle is aimed at improving forest conservation, biodiversity management, and eco-tourism development across Chhattisgarh.