BENGALURU: The Karnataka government appointed Meenakshi Negi as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HOFF), marking a historic first for the state. Negi, a 1989-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, becomes the first woman to hold this position in Karnataka and the second female PCCF in the country after Shomita Biswas in Maharashtra.
Negi assumes the role following the retirement of Brijesh Kumar Dikshit on January 31, 2025. In the interim, Subhash Malkhade, PCCF (Wildlife), managed additional responsibilities. Negi will officially take charge on Friday.
Speaking on her priorities, Negi stated, “There are numerous tasks that need attention. My first step will be to assess the current situation and plan accordingly.”
A Distinguished Career
Negi’s career spans over three decades, with extensive experience in forestry, conservation, and central administration. She began her career in Karnataka, serving in various capacities between 1993 and 2007, including territorial forestry, working plan management, social forestry, and wildlife conservation.
From 2007 to 2015, she was on central deputation, working at the Ministry of Ayush. She served as the Director of Ayush (2007–2012) and later as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) (2013–2015). During this period, she initiated research on medicinal plants, making her the first in India to lead an NMPB-approved study.
Upon returning to Karnataka in 2015, she took on several key roles, including Commissioner of Ayush (2018–2021). She played a crucial role in launching the Aptamitra-Covid hotline and overseeing Covid Care Centers in Karnataka’s Ayurvedic hospitals. Between 2021 and 2023, she served as Additional PCCF and Chief Operating Officer of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), where she resumed the tribal relocation initiative in Kali Tiger Reserve.
Before her current appointment, Negi was Member Secretary of the National Commission for Women until February 18, 2025.
Impact and Expectations
Negi’s appointment is expected to bring new perspectives to Karnataka’s forest management, particularly in afforestation, wildlife conservation, and sustainable forest governance. Experts believe her leadership could strengthen forest conservation policies, given her background in environmental research and administration.
As she steps into her new role, all eyes will be on how Karnataka’s forest governance evolves under her leadership. Her tenure could set a precedent for future female leadership in the Indian Forest Service.
