Sikkim Green Reshuffle | State Transfers 35 Sikkim Forest Services Officers

Indian Bureaucracy, Gangtok, June 21, 2025 | In a significant administrative move reflecting its strong environmental governance, the Government of Sikkim on Saturday ordered the transfer and reassignment of charges for 1 IFS and 34 officers of the Sikkim Forest Service. This decision comes in a state where forests are central to its ecological and economic identity. Despite covering just 0.22% of India’s geographical area (7,096 sq km), Sikkim boasts a recorded forest area of 5,841 sq km, with nearly 82% of its territory under the administrative control of the State Forest Department. Forest cover spans 46% of its land, making it one of India’s greenest regions. Home to the UNESCO-listed Khangchendzonga National Park and seven sanctuaries, Sikkim has dedicated 30.77% of its area to protected reserves. With over 4,500 flowering plant species—including 550 orchids—Sikkim is India’s botanical treasure. The move aligns with the state’s commitment to conservation, sustainability, and its globally acclaimed status as the first 100% organic state.

The list of officers along with their current designations, new assignments, and respective places of posting is provided below.

1. Shri Kshitij Saxena IFS (Sikkim 2019), presently Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial), Gyalshing, is posted as DFO (T) – Gangtok.
2. Shri Nischal Gautam SFS, presently Additional Director, Planning & Sericulture, is relieved of charge of Additional Director, Sericulture and given additional charge of Chief Executive Officer – State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA), Watershed Development Component (WDC-PMKSY)
3. Shri Sugen M Sarin SFS, presently Additional Director, Eco-Tourism, is given additional charge of Additional Director – Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP).
4. Shri Tshering Pinto Bhutia SFS, presently Additional Director-cum-Nodal Officer, State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) and Non Timber Forest Produces (NTFP), with additional charge of Additional Director, Environment & Soil Conservation, is assigned additional charge of Director – Forest Training Institute, Bulbuley.
5. Shri Tenzing Norbu Bhutia SFS, presently Joint Director, Non Timber Forest Produces (NTFP), is given additional charge of Joint Director – Forest Training Institute, Bulbuley.
6. Ms Dichen Namdul SFS, presently Joint Director, Utilization, is given additional charge of Joint Director – Silviculture, Sikkim.
7. Ms Arati Basnet SFS, presently Joint Director-cum-CEO, SLNA, is transferred and appointed as Joint Director – Sericulture, Sikkim.
8. Ms Nisha Subba SFS, presently Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Wildlife (Gyalshing), is given additional charge of DFO – Eco-Tourism for Gyalshing, Soreng, and Namchi Districts.
9. Ms Yangchen Bhutia SFS, presently DFO, State CAMPA & FCA, Gangtok, with additional charge of Survey & Demarcation, Gangtok, is relieved from her additional charge and given additional charge of DFO – Eco-Tourism, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Mangan Districts.
10. Shri Arun Kumar Gurung SFS, presently DFO, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), Gyalshing, Namchi & Soreng Districts, is appointed as DFO – Social Forestry, Gyalshing, Sikkim.
11. Shri Jigme Tsewang Shamgoe SFS, presently DFO (T), Mangan, is posted as DFO (T) –  Gyalshing District.
12. Ms Smita Shilal SFS, presently DFO (T), Gangtok, is posted as DFO (T) – Survey & Demarcation, Gangtok.
13. Shri Chewang Tashi Bhutia SFS, presently DFO, Social Forestry, Gyalshing, is posted as DFO – Research & Extension Cell, Gangtok.
14. Shri Tseten Wangyal Lachungpa SFS, presently DFO, NTFP, Mangan, Gangtok and Pakyong, with additional charge of DFO, Environment & Soil Conservation, Mangan, and Research & Extension Cell, Gangtok, is appointed as DFO – Environment & Soil Conservation, Mangan.
15. Shri Anup Jyoti Baniya SFS, presently DFO, Environment & Soil Conservation, Gangtok, is appointed as DFO – Social Forestry, Gangtok.
16. Shri Suren Kumar Pradhan SFS, appointed as DFO – Planning & Statistical Cell.
17. Shri Churamani Bhandari SFS, is appointed as DFO, Environment & Soil Conservation, Gangtok.
18. Ms Urmila Subba SFS, appointed as DFO – Himalayan Zoological Park, Gangtok
19. Ms Bindhya Subba SFS, is appointed as DFO – NTFP, (Gyalshing, Namchi & Soreng District.
20. Shri Dhiraj Khati SFS, is appointed as DFO – Stores, Gangtok
21. Shri Manjil Kharel SFS, appointed as DFO (T), Mangan.
22. Ms Pem Diki Sherpa SFS, appointed as DFO – NTFP, Mangan, Gangtok & Pakyong District.
23. Shri Dilli Ram Sharma SFS, appointed as DFO, Silviculture, Gangtok
24. Ms Surya Lata Rai SFS, appointed as DFO – Parks & Garden, Gangtok.
25. Ms Seems Basnett SFS, presently ACF, Environment & Soil Conservation, Chungthang Sub-Division, is appointed as ACF – Wildlife, Mangan.
26. Shri Neeraj Pradhan SFS, presently ACF (T), Ravangla, is appointed as ACF – KNP, Mangan.
27. Shri Sanjeev Kumar Rai SFS, presently ACF (T), Namchi, is appointed as ACF (T) –  Rabongla, with additional charge of ACF – Survey & Demarcation, Namchi
28. Shri Bishnu Prasad Sharma presently ACF, BAC, Yuksom, is appointed as ACF (T) –  Mangalbaraia, Soreng District.
29. Shri Sachin Chettri (Karki) presently ACF, KNP, Mangan, is appointed as ACF – Utilization, Gangtok.
30. Shri Narendra Sapkota presently ACF,  Kyongnosla Wildlife Sanctuary, is appointed as ACF (T) – Mangan, with additional charge of ACF – Eco-tourism, Mangan.
31. Shri Bhuwan Singh Subba presently ACF (T), HQ, Namchi with additional charge of Survey & Demarcation, is appointed as ACF (T) – Namchi.
32. Shri Norden Zangpo Bhutia, presently ACF (Territorial), Chungthang, given additional charge of ACF – Environment & Soil Conservation, Chungthang
33. Shri Lalit Kumar Rai-II, is appointed as ACF – NTFP, Namchi.
34. Shri Karma Sonam Bhutia (II), is appointed as ACF (T) – Gangtok.