Dehradun: In Uttarakhand, forest responsibilities are being handled with dual charge in many places. From divisions to circles, a single officer is shouldering the burden of dual charge. This situation exists while the transfer list for SDO (Sub Divisional Officer)-level officers is under consideration in the government system. After the release of this list, the burden of dual charge could be reduced by appointing a DFO in-charge at the divisional level.
There are several divisions in the state that are unable to find a permanent DFO. Furthermore, some circles require a full-time officer. Significantly, this problem of permanent postings is not new to the Forest Department. Despite this, the Forest Ministry has not yet found a solution.
Significantly, a Civil Service Board meeting was held recently regarding the transfer of IFS officers, and new responsibilities were also allocated based on this. Yet, the problem of permanent postings has not been resolved.
There is an officer in the Uttarakhand Forest Department who recently returned from deputation and has not yet been assigned any responsibility. Chandrashekhar Sanwal, a 2010 batch IFS officer, recently returned to the state, but a decision on his responsibilities has not yet been made.
In addition, Kalyani has been appointed as the in-charge Conservator of Forests in the Yamuna Circle, but she has also been appointed as an Additional Secretary in the government, assuming dual responsibility. Chandrashekhar Joshi has also been appointed as the in-charge Conservator of Forests.
Notably, despite Corbett Tiger Reserve Director Saket Badola holding a very important position, he has been given dual charge, becoming the additional Conservator of Forests in the Western Circle. Furthermore, regarding divisions, DP Baluni, who was in charge of Tons, has also been given responsibility for Uttarkashi.
On the other hand, Sarvesh Dubey is holding the charge of DFO in the Kedarnath Division along with the Badrinath Division.
Dehradun DFO Neeraj Sharma is also holding additional charge of the Kalsi division, which is vacant. Hemchand Gahtori is in charge of the Civil Soyam division in Ranikhet and Nainital.
Almora DFO Deepak Singh is also in charge of the Civil Soyam division in Almora.
