NTI (Dehradun): The Uttarakhand Forest Department is on the cusp of a significant transition as its current Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Samir Sinha, prepares to retire on November 30, 2025. With the clock ticking, the process to appoint a new chief has accelerated, receiving swift approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for convening a Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC). Uttar Pradesh’s PCCF Sunil Chaudhary has been designated as the nodal officer for the panel, though the meeting date remains pending. Sources indicate the proceedings could gain momentum following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the state.

Sinha, a 1990-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, assumed the HoFF role in June 2025 on an additional charge basis after his predecessor, Dhananjaya Mohan (1988 batch), opted for voluntary retirement (VRS) amid a departmental reshuffle. In a formal promotion shortly thereafter, Sinha was elevated to the full HoFF position, as confirmed during a DPC in July 2025. Beyond this apex role, he was appointed Managing Director of the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation in August 2025 and CEO of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) in June. Under his stewardship, the department has intensified efforts in forest conservation, wildlife protection, and eco-projects, though a wave of senior retirements has strained leadership continuity.

The state government sought MoEFCC’s nod for the DPC on September 29, prompting an immediate affirmative response affirming the impending vacancy. The committee will be chaired by Uttarakhand’s Chief Secretary, with central representatives including veterans like Chaudhary, a 1989-batch IFS officer who recently spearheaded Uttar Pradesh’s green initiatives, earning accolades such as the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” award in September 2025. Historically, HoFF appointments in Uttarakhand have adhered strictly to seniority norms. Currently, the department’s most senior IFS officer is 1992-batch B.P. Gupta, serving as PCCF (Administration) and nodal officer for critical operations like forest fire management in regions such as Chamoli. However, Gupta himself is slated for retirement in December 2025, potentially exacerbating a leadership vacuum.

This impending shift marks the eighth change in the HoFF role over the past four-and-a-half years, raising eyebrows about administrative stability within the department. Earlier in February 2025, Gupta’s name featured prominently in a list of retiring senior PCCFs, underscoring the relentless churn. Experts emphasize that the next appointee must transcend mere seniority, demonstrating prowess in tackling forest conservation, climate resilience, and emerging threats in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Uttarakhand’s forests play a pivotal role in wildlife safeguarding, curbing illegal logging, and disaster mitigation—challenges amplified by events like the 2018 fires that scorched thousands of hectares under similar leadership strains.

Insider sources suggest the DPC shortlist may feature other seasoned Uttarakhand IFS officers, but Gupta’s seniority positions him as the frontrunner—despite his short tenure potential. The department, however, is eyeing a long-term stabilizer to anchor its environmental agenda. “This isn’t just an administrative pivot; it’s vital for fortifying state policies against ecological pressures,” noted a senior forest official. As the DPC convenes, the new name will emerge soon, allowing Sinha to wrap up his term by bolstering departmental frameworks.

In the interim, Sinha remains focused on legacy-building initiatives. This leadership renewal heralds a fresh chapter in safeguarding Uttarakhand’s verdant expanses, ensuring the “Devbhoomi’s” green legacy endures amid mounting global and regional challenges.