INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL
FOREST ACADEMY DEHRADUN

Qualification

• B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry, St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi
• MBA (International Business), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi (Majors: Marketing & Foreign Trade)
• M.Sc. Forestry, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA)

Experience Prior to IGNFA

• Brief stint in the corporate sector and startup ecosystem prior to joining the Indian Forest Service.

Served as Deputy Conservator of Forests across three forest divisions of Himachal Pradesh (2019 - Aug 2025). At Kullu, worked on ecotourism projects. At Parvati, focused on self-sustaining ecotourism, JICA-supported forestry with SHG-based interventions, and low-cost ecological restoration of dumping yards and ecotone areas.

At Paonta Sahib, drafted the first Working Plan in over three decades with focus on sal and khair silviculture, and the Zonal Master Plan for the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Col. Sherjung National Park. Worked on human - elephant conflict management including implementation of Project Elephant in Himachal Pradesh, alongside eco-restoration initiatives (including customised Miyawaki) and strengthened enforcement against illegal mining.

Thereafter, served as Assistant Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife) in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Delhi, with exposure to national wildlife programmes and policy coordination.

Area of Specialization

• Ecological restoration and rehabilitation of degraded landscapes
• Landscape and wildlife management, including human - wildlife interface
• Forestry governance and planning (Working Plans, Zonal Master Plans, etc.)

Other Interest

• Painting, Bird Watching, mentoring, Music

E-mail: hp187 [at] ifs [dot] nic [dot] in