Major Reshuffle in Gujarat Forest Department After Transfer Controversy
In a significant administrative overhaul within Gujarat's forest department, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Anirudh Singh was removed from his top position on Monday night. This dramatic development comes just days after the mass transfer of 365 Range Forest Officers (RFOs) sparked intense controversy and internal discord throughout the department.
Key Appointments and Additional Charges
Anirudh Singh has been reassigned as the Managing Director of the Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Ltd in Vadodara. This position was previously held by Chief Conservator of Forests Anshuman Sharma. Meanwhile, PCCF (Wildlife) Jaipal Singh has been given the additional responsibility of serving as Head of Forest Force, taking over the crucial leadership role vacated by Singh.
The state government's late-night orders affected a total of six officers, creating waves of discussion and speculation within Aaranya Bhavan, the forest department headquarters in Gandhinagar. Department insiders revealed that this marks likely the first instance in nearly three decades that a PCCF heading the forest department has been shifted out in such a manner. Historical records indicate that in the late 1990s, a PCCF was transferred following a political change but was subsequently reinstated to their position.
Connection to Controversial RFO Transfers
Officials familiar with the situation indicated that the leadership change is widely perceived as directly linked to the controversial March 31 transfer of 365 RFOs, who were instructed to report to their new postings beginning April 1. According to sources with knowledge of internal developments, complaints alleging irregularities in the transfer exercise were promptly filed with the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) shortly after the orders were issued. These complaints appear to have triggered the extensive late-night administrative reshuffle.
Additional Administrative Changes
The reorganization extended beyond the Indian Forest Service ranks. Among other significant changes, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Administration) Sadiq Mujawar was transferred to the position of DCF (Publicity and Liaisoning) in Gandhinagar. Chief Conservator of Forests for Vadodara Circle, Sandip Kumar, was reassigned as CCF (Working Plan) in Gandhinagar. Anshuman Sharma received a new posting as CCF (Development and Management) in Gandhinagar. Additionally, Conservator of Forests for Kevadia, Nisha Raj, was given the additional charge of Chief Conservator of Forests for Vadodara Circle.
The reshuffle also reached beyond the forest service itself. Two deputy secretaries, Asav Gandhi and Himanshu Gohil, working within the forest and environment department were transferred out of the Gandhinagar secretariat. Gandhi was posted as Deputy Controller (Civil Defence), while Gohil was moved to the position of Deputy Secretary in the Office of the Government Advocate in Ahmedabad. A senior official noted that such transfers of deputy secretaries from the secretariat represent an uncommon administrative move.
Background of Transfer Policy and Alleged Violations
Sources within the department revealed that no major transfers of RFOs had occurred over the past seven years, primarily because such exercises had repeatedly attracted allegations of irregularities and favoritism. The department had recently formulated a comprehensive transfer policy in consultation with State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia. This policy stipulated that RFOs completing three years in one post should be shifted to another wing of the department in a district other than their hometown. Furthermore, officers serving in social forestry positions were to be moved to wildlife postings, and vice versa, to ensure balanced experience and prevent regional favoritism.
Officials alleged that the recent transfer exercise deviated significantly from this established policy in multiple cases. Some RFOs were reportedly posted to preferred locations within their home districts, contrary to policy guidelines. In Saurashtra region, for instance, an officer working in wildlife was allegedly shifted to social forestry in a nearby taluka instead of being moved out of the district entirely. Similar complaints emerged from central Gujarat districts, where policy violations were said to have occurred.
Senior officials confirmed that these alleged deviations from the transfer policy caused substantial resentment within departmental ranks. Some officers with political connections reportedly took their complaints directly to the Chief Minister's Office, bypassing normal departmental channels and escalating the situation to the highest levels of state administration.
