Wildlife wing HQ shift to Dharamsala sparks debate on decentralisation, efficiency

In a move seen as further cementing Dharamsala’s role as Himachal Pradesh’s second capital, the state cabinet on Monday approved the relocation of the wildlife wing headquarters of the Forest Department from Shimla to Dharamsala. The decision is being viewed as a recognition of Kangra district’s political prominence and geographic scale, being the largest and most influential district in the state.

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The announcement has received a mixed response from residents, political leaders and environmental experts. Proponents argue the shift could promote eco-tourism and bring long-overdue attention to underdeveloped conservation sites such as the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. The move is also expected to benefit the multi-crore Zoological Park currently under development in Dehra subdivision, which will now lie closer to the administrative hub of the Wildlife Wing.

Welcoming the decision, Shahpur MLA Kewal Pathania remarked, “Just last Wednesday, the state government transferred the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) head office from Shimla to Dharamsala. Now, with the wildlife wing also coming here, this is a progressive step that will boost cultural exchange and regional development.” Citing political precedent, he added, “Back in 1983, during the Congress regime, the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education was also relocated from Shimla to Dharamsala.”

However, critics of the move have raised concerns about its practical implications. They argue that while symbolic decentralisation may have political value, it may hinder the core administrative functions of the wildlife wing, particularly policy formulation and statewide coordination. “Shimla still remains the epicentre of interdepartmental functioning,” said one internal source, who added that logistical ease in the capital can be crucial for a department that operates across diverse and challenging terrains.

Additionally, experts have flagged ongoing manpower shortages—especially in field roles such as forest guards and range officers—as a deeper problem that relocation alone won’t solve. Despite the department’s pool of trained personnel, many frontline positions remain vacant, limiting its effectiveness in wildlife protection and forest management.

The relocated headquarters is set to occupy a three-storey building within the Forest Complex in Dharamsala. Originally built for the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project, the facility currently houses a German-funded forest initiative slated to conclude next year. The building features 18 rooms and a fully equipped conference hall.

As the state continues to pursue administrative decentralisation, the success of such decisions will likely hinge on addressing operational challenges alongside symbolic shifts.

Despite multiple attempts to reach the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), he remained unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, the Chief Conservator (Wildlife) and Divisional Forest Officer in Dharamsala also declined to comment.