Chandigarh, February 1: Dharminder Sharma, a 1994-batch Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer and UPSC topper, assumed charge as Punjab’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) at the Forest Complex in Sector 68.
He will continue holding additional charge as PCCF Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden until a new appointment is made.
Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak for their trust, Sharma outlined his priorities, including promoting eco-tourism, maintaining wetlands, expanding green cover, and generating local employment opportunities.
He stressed the importance of the upcoming Van Mahotsav in July 2025, urging people to plant trees to ensure a cleaner, greener future.
A graduate of Delhi University in Plant Sciences, Sharma pursued a master’s in Natural Resource Management on a Marshal Papworth Scholarship at Cranfield University, UK. He trained in forestry and allied sciences at institutions in the UK, Finland, and Yale University, USA.
In his career, Sharma has served as District Forest Officer in Patiala, Sangrur, and Ferozepur, as well as Director of Chhatbir Zoo, Chief Conservator of Forests (Plains), and Secretary of Agriculture on deputation.
His contributions include preparing Punjab’s State Forestry Research Plan and developing the Master Plan for Chhatbir Zoo, recognized by the Central Zoo Authority.
An expert in climate change and wildlife conservation, Sharma has been invited to speak at institutions such as MGSIPA Chandigarh, the Forest Research Institute (Dehradun), and TERI Delhi. He has also trained senior forest officers on captive wildlife management.
Senior officials, including Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Satendar Sagar and Conservator of Forests (Planning) Vishal Chauhan, attended the ceremony.
