IFS Officer Sanjay Sood Appointed Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force in Himachal Pradesh
The Government of Himachal Pradesh has formally appointed senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjay Sood as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) for the state. The appointment, approved by the Governor, follows the recommendations of a specially constituted selection committee and places a 1993-batch officer at the helm of Himachal Pradesh’s forest administration.
Leadership Role in State Forest Administration
Sanjay Sood currently serves as the Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation Limited (HPSFDCL), Shimla. With the latest government order, he has been entrusted with the additional charge of leading the state’s entire forest force, making him the senior-most authority responsible for forest conservation, wildlife protection, and implementation of environmental policies in Himachal Pradesh.
In addition to his new responsibilities as PCCF and HoFF, Sood will continue to discharge his existing roles as Managing Director of HPSFDCL and Chief Project Director for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-supported projects in the state. These projects are critical to sustainable forest management, climate resilience, and ecological conservation initiatives across Himachal Pradesh.
Pay Scale and Seniority
As Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Sanjay Sood will draw salary and benefits under the Apex Scale (Level 17) of the pay matrix, amounting to ₹2.25 lakh per month. This scale reflects the highest level of seniority within the Indian Forest Service and corresponds to the strategic and administrative importance of the post.
Official Government Notification
The appointment has been officially notified through an order issued by Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, confirming the allocation of additional charge to Sanjay Sood. The notification underscores the state government’s intent to ensure continuity, experience, and strong leadership at the top of its forest department.
Focus on Conservation and Sustainable Development
Sood’s elevation comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh faces critical challenges related to climate change, biodiversity conservation, forest protection, and sustainable use of natural resources. As PCCF and HoFF, he will oversee policy execution, inter-departmental coordination, and field-level implementation aimed at preserving the state’s rich forest and wildlife heritage while balancing developmental needs.
The appointment is widely seen as a move to strengthen institutional leadership and reinforce the government’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable forest governance in the Himalayan state.
