Himachal’s Forest Department to Get New Leadership: IFS Officer Sameer Rastogi Appointed as New Principal Chief Conservator of Forests

Shimla, April 28:
The Himachal Pradesh government has appointed senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sameer Rastogi as the new head of the state’s Forest Department. Rastogi has been named the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), with a notification to this effect issued by the Department of Personnel on Monday.

A 1988-batch IFS officer, Sameer Rastogi recently returned to the state after completing his central deputation. From February 2019 to February 2024, he served as the Chief Vigilance Officer at National Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited, a public sector enterprise under the Government of India in Mumbai. Since his return, he had been serving as the Chief Project Director of the JICA Forestry Project.

Following the recommendations of a special selection committee and the Governor’s approval, Rastogi has been appointed with immediate effect at the Level 17 (Apex Scale) pay matrix, drawing a fixed salary of ₹2,25,000 per month.

According to an order issued by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, copies of the appointment notification have been sent to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, as well as various departments of the Himachal Pradesh government.

Rastogi’s appointment is expected to strengthen the leadership of the Forest Department. Over the course of his career, he has held several key positions and brings extensive experience in environmental conservation and forest management. In Himachal Pradesh, he has previously served as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Regional Project Director for the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Project in Bilaspur, and at a senior position in the Forest Development Corporation.