Uttarakhand Government Removes IFS Officer as Rajaji Tiger Reserve Director

IFS officer Rahul has been removed as Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve by the Uttarakhand Government following Chief Minister Dhami's instructions. The Supreme Court had raised objections to his appointment. Rahul has now been reassigned as Chief Forest Conservator Monitoring, Evaluation, IT and Modernisation, Dehradun.

In a significant administrative shift, the Uttarakhand Government has relieved IFS officer Rahul from his position as Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The decision came following direct instructions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The Forest Department issued orders on September 3, immediately relieving Rahul of his duties and reassigning him as Chief Forest Conservator Monitoring, Evaluation, IT and Modernisation in Dehradun. This development was informed to the Supreme Court, leading to the dismissal of a related petition.

The government cited Rahul's previous removal from Corbett Tiger Reserve over allegations of illegal tree cutting as the reason for the Supreme Court's objection to his appointment at Rajaji.

According to a statement, the transfer was executed after careful consideration by both the state's Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal and Chief Minister Dhami. Rahul's reassignment follows a series of transfers within the Forest Department involving several IFS officers.

This administrative reshuffle underscores the state government's commitment to maintaining integrity and transparency in forest management.

(With inputs from agencies.)