Gandhinagar: In a significant administrative reshuffle in Gujarat’s forest bureaucracy, the Gujarat government has transferred Anirudh Pratap Singh, the state’s senior-most Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), and posted him as Managing Director of the Gujarat Forest Development Corporation Limited in Vadodara.
In the same order, his immediate junior Jaipal Singh has been assigned additional charge as in-charge PCCF & HoFF until further orders.
The move is being seen as unusual because transfers at the HoFF level are rare in Gujarat, particularly when the successor is the immediate junior officer in the cadre hierarchy.
Forest Department Issues Multi-Officer Transfer Notification
The order was issued by the Forest and Environment Department, Gujarat and includes transfers and additional charges involving five senior IFS officers.
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Officials described the move as part of routine administrative restructuring, though it has drawn attention within forest administration circles.
Anirudh Pratap Singh Moved to Gujarat Forest Development Corporation
Anirudh Pratap Singh, a 1990-batch Gujarat cadre IFS officer, took over as Head of Forest Force in Gujarat in January last year.
Originally from Uttar Pradesh, he now takes charge as Managing Director of the Gujarat Forest Development Corporation in Vadodara.
This corporation handles key forestry-linked development and commercial forest activities in the state.
Jaipal Singh Becomes In-Charge HoFF
Jaipal Singh, a 1991-batch officer, is currently serving as:
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
- Chief Wildlife Warden of Gujarat
He is now the senior-most officer in the Gujarat cadre after Anirudh Singh and has been entrusted with additional charge of the top forest post.
Move Seen as Strategically Important
Highly placed sources indicate that the decision may strengthen Jaipal Singh’s profile for possible appointment as Director General (Forest) in the central government.
Sources said his name has already been considered for the top central forestry post.
Though officially termed an administrative transfer, the timing has triggered discussion in bureaucratic circles.
Four Other Senior IFS Officers Also Shifted
The same notification also includes transfers of four additional officers.
Sandeep Kumar
Sandeep Kumar (2005 batch) has been transferred from Conservator of Forests, Vadodara Circle to Conservator of Forests, Working Plan, Gandhinagar.
Anshuman Sharma
Anshuman Sharma (2008 batch), who was Managing Director of Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation, has been appointed Chief Conservator of Forests (Development & Management).
Nisha Raj
Nisha Raj, currently Conservator of Forests, Kevadia Wildlife Circle, Kevadia, has been given additional charge of Chief Conservator of Forests, Vadodara Circle.
Sadik Sallauddin Mujawar
Sadik Sallauddin Mujawar has been shifted from Deputy Conservator of Forests (Administration), Gandhinagar to Deputy Conservator of Forests, PLO.
Rare Shift at Top Forest Level in Gujarat
Senior officials say such movement at the level of Head of Forest Force is uncommon because HoFF usually remains in position until retirement unless larger cadre or central appointments intervene.
The latest reshuffle is therefore being closely watched in administrative circles.
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