Kolkata: In a major administrative reshuffle, the West Bengal government has transferred 34 Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, with several significant changes in the state’s forest and zoo departments. The transfer order, issued on Friday, comes at a time when certain zoos in the state – including the historic Alipore Zoo – have recently faced scrutiny over inventory mismatches.
Key Changes in Zoo and Forest Management
Saurabh Chaudhuri, former Member Secretary, West Bengal Zoo Authority (WBZA), has been appointed CEO of the Green Project Wing and General Manager (HQ), West Bengal Forest Development Corporation.
Arun Mukhopadhyay, earlier Chief Conservator of Forest (Development Circle) and holding additional charge as Director, Alipore Zoo, has been transferred to Darjeeling Zoo as Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) and its Director.
Basavraj Holeyachi, outgoing Director of Darjeeling Zoo, has been made CCF of Central Circle.
P. Kamalakanth, who served as CCF, Special Development Project, has been elevated as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) and Member Secretary, WBZA.
Tripti Sah, a Senior Environment Officer, will now serve as the Director of Alipore Zoo, one of India’s oldest and most iconic zoological parks.
Other Key Forest Department Transfers
Kana Talukder has been appointed as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (General), a top-ranking post in the forest hierarchy.
S. Kulandaivel, who held the CCF, Central Circle post, has been shifted to Western Circle, replacing V. Salimath, who now takes charge as CCF, Conservation and Extension.
Sheik Fareed J, previously DFO, Darjeeling, will now serve as DFO, Bankura North Division.
S.M. Patil has been appointed the new Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Darjeeling.
Government’s View
Speaking on the reshuffle, Debal Roy, Principal Secretary of the Forest Department, clarified that the transfers had been planned well in advance and were executed with the intent to enhance efficiency and accountability, particularly in light of recent issues surrounding zoo management.
