Himachal Names Sameer Rastogi as Head of Forest Force
The Government of Himachal Pradesh has appointed Sameer Rastogi, a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the 1988 batch, as the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) [PCCF (HoFF)]. This announcement follows the retirement of Shri Panvesh, who concluded his tenure on December 31, 2024.
An official notification from the Department of Forests confirms that Rastogi will take on this new responsibility alongside his existing role as Chief Project Director (CPD) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Shimla. Notably, Rastogi will not receive any additional remuneration for these added duties.
With over 30 years of experience in forestry and environmental management, Rastogi is highly regarded for his contributions to the field. His predecessor, Shri Panvesh, left behind a legacy of excellence, having spearheaded several eco-friendly initiatives and reinforced sustainable forest governance in the state.
Rastogi’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Himachal Pradesh strives to harmonize ecological conservation with developmental priorities. Known for his expertise in project management and policy execution, Rastogi is expected to introduce innovative strategies to safeguard the state’s forest resources. The Forest Department and other stakeholders have expressed confidence in his leadership to uphold and further enhance the state’s environmental stewardship.
The notification was issued by Kamlesh Kumar Pant, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, and disseminated to relevant departments for immediate implementation.
