Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government has issued a fresh set of transfers and postings for top officials in the Forest Department, signalling a strategic reshuffle at the senior-most levels of the Indian Forest Service (IFS).

Prabhash Chandra Ray (1993 batch), who served as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Principal Secretary to the Government, has been posted as the PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Bengaluru. He replaces Subhash K. Malkhede, who retired on June 30.

Taking his place is Manoj Kumar (1997 batch), who has been appointed as the Additional PCCF and Principal Secretary to the Government, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, Bengaluru. He will also continue to hold concurrent charge as Managing Director of Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL).

In another key appointment, Upendra Pratap Singh (2000 batch) has been transferred and posted as Additional PCCF and Commissioner, Watershed Development Department, Bengaluru. The post has officially been accorded status equivalent to Additional PCCF (Forest Conservation) under Rule 12 of the IFS (Pay) Rules, 2016. These transfers take effect from today.