Major Reshuffle in Tripura Forest Department: 38 IFS and TFS Officers Transferred with Immediate Effect

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 9, 2025

In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Government of Tripura has ordered the transfer and posting of 38 Indian Forest Service (IFS) and Tripura Forest Service (TFS) officers across various capacities within the Forest Department. The transfers come into effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders.

According to the official notification issued by Deputy Secretary S.K. Debbarma on July 7, several top-level officers have been reassigned, and key portfolios have been reallocated to ensure better coordination, development, and implementation of forest and environmental projects in the state.

Among the major changes:

Shri R.K. Samal, IFS, PCCF & HOFF and Principal Secretary, Forests, has been relieved from multiple additional charges including Chief Wildlife Warden, CEO CAMPA, and Member Secretary, Tripura Biodiversity Board.

Shri P.L. Agarwal, IFS will continue as CEO & PD of the SCATFORM Project with extended responsibilities including CAMPA and the IGDC-CREFLAT Project.

Shri Chaitanya Murti, IFS retains charge of the ELEMENT Project with additional responsibilities as Chief Wildlife Warden, Member Secretary of the Biodiversity Board, and Nodal Officer for the Forest Conservation Act (FCA).

Several officers including Dr. Honna Reddy, Shri R. Arun Kumar, and Shri Sanjib Das have been reassigned to different forest divisions, while new DFOs have been appointed in Dhalai, Sepahijala, South Tripura, and Khowai districts. Numerous SDFOs and ACFs have also been posted to new territorial ranges and divisions, with a focus on strengthening field-level administration.

This reshuffle also marks the repatriation of officers like Shri R. Arun Kumar from Handloom and Handicrafts to the Forest Department, and the strategic positioning of experienced officers like Shri Amit Debbarma, Krishna Gopal Roy, Paushali Roy, and others in key project and administrative roles under SCATFORM and ELEMENT projects.

The move is expected to enhance the efficiency of forest governance and conservation efforts in Tripura, aligning with the government’s focus on sustainable forestry, biodiversity protection, and capacity building through externally aided projects.

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