The Tribune Impact: Ministry issues hiring ad for tiger conservation body

Days after The Tribune carried a story on the non-appointment of officials at top posts in the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Union Environment Ministry has issued an advertisement to appoint senior officers in the apex tiger body.

The story was carried on October 18 with the headline ‘Top posts vacant, tiger body toothless ahead of census’. The Environment Ministry on October 23 issued an advertisement to appoint Inspector General of Forests (IGF), Assistant Inspector General of Forests (AIGF), Deputy Inspector General of Forests (DIGF) in headquarters and regional offices.

Wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni had raised the issue with the ministry.

On Tuesday, the ministry said, “The process of filling vacant posts is underway, and officers for the respective posts are expected to be appointed soon. In this context, it is informed that the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has already advertised (vide letter dated 23.10.2025) the post of ADG/IGF/DIG/AIG headquarters and the regional offices.”

The top posts at the NTCA’s headquarter and regional offices have been lying vacant at a time when the tiger census across the country is underway.

As the post of NTCA Member Secretary remains vacant, Sanjayan Kumar, Inspector General of Forests (NTCA Headquarters), has been holding the additional charge for the past three months. The arrangement has been extended for another three months from October 14.

Kulkarni said that the absence of a full-time member secretary has resulted in institutional slowdown in appraisal and follow-up of crucial matters such as the approval of tiger conservation plans, eco-tourism guidelines, relocation initiatives, and field-level monitoring.