IFS Officer BP Gupta Given New Portfolio as Uttarakhand Forest Department Plans Major Administrative Overhaul
The Uttarakhand Forest Department is heading toward a significant leadership realignment, with the Civil Service Board initiating a comprehensive review of responsibilities held by senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers at the forest headquarters. The exercise is aimed at redistributing key portfolios more effectively, particularly at a time when several top officers are managing multiple assignments simultaneously.
One of the most notable outcomes of the recent deliberations is the fresh assignment given to Bhawani Prakash Gupta (B.P. Gupta), a senior 1992-batch IFS officer, who has now been entrusted with a new role following recent changes in the department’s leadership hierarchy.
Background to the Leadership Reshuffle
The reshuffling process gained momentum after Ranjan Kumar Mishra, a 1993-batch IFS officer, was elevated to the position of Chief Conservator of Forests (HoF). With this promotion, it became necessary to realign responsibilities at the headquarters to maintain administrative balance and ensure the optimal use of senior officers’ experience.
Prior to this, B.P. Gupta was serving as Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration). Following Mishra’s elevation, Gupta has now been repositioned under the HoF framework, marking a strategic redeployment rather than a demotion, designed to streamline command and coordination within the department.
New Responsibility: Biodiversity Portfolio
According to officials present at the Civil Service Board meeting, B.P. Gupta has been assigned the Biodiversity portfolio, a key responsibility in a hill state like Uttarakhand that is rich in ecological diversity and sensitive ecosystems. The move reflects the department’s intent to place experienced officers in roles critical to conservation planning, biodiversity protection, and policy implementation.
Discussions are still ongoing regarding whether Gupta will continue to hold additional responsibilities related to Forest Panchayat and Administration, as the board evaluates workload distribution and seniority considerations.
Dual-Charge Positions and Vacancies at Headquarters
The reshuffle has highlighted the prevalence of dual and multiple charges at the forest headquarters, with several important wings currently being overseen by officers holding more than one portfolio. High-impact domains such as Administration, Wildlife, CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority), and Forest Panchayats remain areas of focus in the ongoing restructuring exercise.
With B.P. Gupta shifting to Biodiversity, the posts of Forest Panchayat and Administration have effectively fallen vacant and are expected to be filled in the next round of appointments. Meanwhile, Ranjan Kumar Mishra continues to hold charge as PCCF (Wildlife), while the CAMPA portfolio is also slated for reallocation.
The Civil Service Board is expected to convene additional meetings in the coming days to finalize these assignments, ensuring that all key functions are headed by officers best suited to the operational and strategic demands of the department.
Structural Reforms Across Forest Divisions
Beyond personnel changes, the leadership reshuffle coincides with a broader reform agenda. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal has confirmed that the state government is planning structural standardization of forest divisions across Uttarakhand. The objective is to ensure uniform administrative frameworks, improve coordination, and modernize forest governance throughout the state.
Strategic Focus Ahead
The ongoing reallocation of responsibilities and proposed structural reforms signal a concerted effort by the Uttarakhand government to strengthen leadership depth, reduce administrative overload, and improve efficiency within the Forest Department. As further appointments are finalized, the reshuffle is expected to enhance decision-making capacity and reinforce the department’s ability to manage conservation, wildlife protection, and forest governance effectively.
