Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department conducted a review meeting of its senior officials

Bhubaneswar, 15 October 2025: The Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department today conducted a review meeting of its senior officials at the Departmental Conference Hall, Lokseva Bhavan, through a virtual platform. The meeting was chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the department, Mr. Satyabrata Sahu.

Mr. Sahu emphasized the importance of completing all departmental plans and projects through an expedited process and within the prescribed timelines. He instructed officers to ensure timely and proper utilization of allocated funds and to follow a structured workflow for all departmental activities.

Special attention was directed towards procedural matters such as R.A.C.P., M.A.C.P., pension cases, vigilance, and court-related issues. Mr. Sahu stressed that pending pension cases must be finalized by the end of the current month, while vigilance and court cases should be resolved on a priority basis.

Regarding diversion proposals, Mr. Sahu highlighted that approvals should be expedited in coordination with concerned departments for state and central government projects, national highways, railways, industrial, and domestic mega-projects, based on priority.

The Additional Chief Secretary also announced that products of the Medicinal Plant Board will be branded and marketed in the Chhattisgarh style. He instructed the Chief Conservator of Forests and heads of forest force brigades to undertake campus visits to ensure effective implementation of Forest Academy programs and other departmental initiatives.

Furthermore, he directed the Project Director, OFSDP, to prepare Phase 3 of the OFSDP and submit it to the central government for approval. In view of the upcoming release of results for the 1996 Forest Guard and Forest staff recruitment, officers were instructed to identify resource persons and training centers to provide structured training.

A review of the ongoing “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” program will be conducted through a virtual meeting on 17 October 2025.

The meeting was attended by senior officers, including:

Mr. Suresh Pant, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force

Uma Nanduri, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Kendu Leaf

Dr. K. Murugesan, Additional Chief Conservator of Forests (Nodal)

Sudhanshu Kumar Khora, Chief Executive, RPRC

G. Rajesh, Chief Executive, CAMPA

K.S. Pradeep, Director, Environment Department

Yoga Jayanand, Chief Executive, Chilika Development Authority

Mr. Lingaraj Ota, Independent Officer & Secretary, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department

Mr. Deben Kumar Pradhan, Additional Secretary, and other senior officials