Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Saturday appointed senior Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer Dr. K. Murugesan (IFoS: 1994: OR) as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) of the state. He succeeds Suresh Pant (IFoS: 1990: OR), who retired from service upon attaining superannuation.
The appointment was notified by the General Administration and Public Grievances Department, following which Dr. Murugesan assumed charge. Prior to this elevation, he was serving as PCCF (Nodal).
IFS K Murugesan: Appointment as PCCF and Head of Forest Force
As the highest-ranking officer in Odisha’s forest department, Dr. Murugesan will oversee:
- Forest administration
- Wildlife protection
- Climate change initiatives
- Conservation and afforestation programmes
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He has been appointed in the Apex Scale (Level-17), reflecting the senior-most position in the state forest hierarchy.
Who is IFS K Murugesan
Name: Dr. K. Murugesan
Service: Indian Forest Service (IFS)
Batch: 1994 (Direct Recruit)
Cadre: Odisha
Date of Birth: 15 July 1968
Current Position: PCCF & Head of Forest Force, Odisha (as of February 1, 2026)
While he belongs to the Odisha cadre, official records do not publicly specify his exact village or town of birth.
Academic Background
Dr. Murugesan is known for his strong academic foundation and scientific expertise:
- Ph.D. in Entomology, with specialization in Insecticide Toxicology
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
His academic background has significantly informed his approach to environmental regulation and conservation policy.
Key Administrative and Professional Roles
Over a distinguished career spanning three decades, Dr. Murugesan has handled several sensitive and high-impact portfolios in Odisha:
- PCCF (Nodal) / Additional PCCF (Nodal)
Before his current appointment, he served as the nodal officer for forest diversion clearances, handling approvals for major infrastructure projects related to:
- Railways
- Roads
- Telecommunications
His role was crucial in balancing development needs with environmental safeguards.
Member Secretary, Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB)
Dr. Murugesan served for over four years as Member Secretary of OSPCB, where he played a key role in:
- Environmental regulation
- Pollution control
- Facilitating sustainable industrial growth
- Director, Centre for Environmental Studies (CES)
As Director, CES, his leadership earned national recognition. The Centre received a National Award from the Ministry of Environment as the “Best Implementing Agency for the Environment Education Programme.”
Chief Executive, Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC)
He also served as the Chief Executive of RPRC, Bhubaneswar, contributing to biodiversity conservation and plant resource management.
Project Director, Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project (OFSDP)
From June 2025, Dr. Murugesan served as Project Director, OFSDP, overseeing forestry development initiatives aimed at sustainable forest management and community participation.
Current Focus as Head of Forest Force
As PCCF and HoFF, Dr. Murugesan is currently prioritising:
Wildlife Conservation: Special focus on preventing elephant deaths due to electrocution
Forest Fire Management: Strengthening early warning and response systems
Afforestation and Climate Action: Promoting large-scale plantation and ecological restoration
His appointment comes at a crucial time when Odisha faces increasing challenges related to climate change, human-wildlife conflict, and forest conservation.
IFS K Murugesan: An Environmentalist at the Helm
Recognised as a career environmentalist, Dr. K. Murugesan’s experience in regulatory, developmental, and conservation roles positions him as a key figure in shaping Odisha’s forest and environmental policies in the coming years.
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