At a time when Haryana is grappling with one of the lowest forest covers in the country, a staffing imbalance in its forest department has triggered concern among Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers. Of the 16 sanctioned Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) posts in the state — senior field positions meant exclusively for IFS officers — only nine are currently held by cadre officers. The remaining divisions are being managed by non-cadre Haryana Forest Service (HFS) officers, despite trained IFS officers awaiting postings.
The issue has now been formally raised by the Haryana IFS Officers’ Association in a representation to the Chief Secretary. The letter, signed by Association president K.C. Meena, states that the current arrangement violates the Indian Forest Service (Cadre) Rules, 1966. “These posts sanctioned in the IFS cadre must be filled by IFS officers,” the representation asserts.
LOW FOREST COVER ADDS TO CONCERN
Under cadre rules, non-cadre officers may occupy such posts only in exceptional or temporary situations, and central government approval is required if the arrangement continues beyond three months. The Association has alleged that no such approval was obtained.
The staffing gap assumes greater significance given Haryana’s fragile green cover. According to Forest Survey of India (FSI) data, the state has just 3.6% forest cover — the lowest in the country. Gurgaon alone reportedly lost nearly 2.5 sq km of forest cover between 2019 and 2020. The FSI 2023 report recorded a further 14 sq km decline in forest cover between 2021 and 2023, while tree cover outside forests also dropped significantly.
The Association warned that DCFs play a critical role in enforcement, protection, clearances, and supervision of field teams. The absence of trained cadre officers, it said, weakens governance and slows decision-making. Six IFS officers from batches between 2013 and 2023 are currently without proper postings.
Calling the lapse serious, the Association has urged immediate corrective action, warning that continued deviation could further weaken forest administration in a state already facing mounting environmental challenges.
