Imphal: In a significant boost to the State’s forest frontline staff, a solemn and dignified Pipping Ceremony for 68 newly promoted Deputy Rangers including 6 women officers was held today at the state Forest Headquarters, Sanjenthong, Imphal. Newly promoted personnel includes 6 officers promoted in 2025 and 62 officers promoted in 2026. The ceremony formally conferred rank insignia upon forest force personnel who were recently promoted from the rank of Forester to Deputy Ranger in the Forest Department, Government of Manipur.
The ceremony was presided over by Anurag Bajpai, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), who officially decorated the officers with their new rank insignia. Senior forest officials and staff members of the department were present at the headquarters, marking the importance of the occasion and reaffirming the department’s commitment to strengthening its field leadership.
During the ceremony, Anurag Bajpai and other senior officers ceremonially pinned the rank insignia on the shoulders of the newly promoted Deputy Rangers. The pipping symbolized not only the formal assumption of higher rank but also the enhanced duties, leadership responsibilities, and trust reposed in the officers by the department and the Government.
Addressing the gathering, Anurag Bajpai congratulated all 68 officers on their well-earned promotion. He remarked that the achievement was a result of their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to duty over the years. Emphasizing the deeper significance of the occasion, he stated, “This is a moment of immense pride for the department. However, a new position inevitably brings more responsibilities towards people, state and nation. Our Deputy Rangers are the backbone of field operations, and we look forward to their enhanced contribution toward protecting our natural heritage.”
He further highlighted that while the promotion marks a milestone of personal achievement, it also carries a greater responsibility toward the department’s mission. The stars worn on their shoulders represent accountability, discipline, and the solemn duty to safeguard the forests, wildlife, and ecological wealth of Manipur. He underscored the crucial role of Deputy Rangers in field administration, protection of Forests, prevention of forest offences, implementation of afforestation and conservation programmes, and growth of the forest dependent communities.
In the current scenario of Manipur, where forest ecosystems face increasing pressures from illegal felling, encroachment, forest fires, habitat fragmentation, and wildlife-related challenges, strengthening the forest force assumes critical importance. The promotion of 68 Deputy Rangers significantly enhances the department’s operational capacity and supervisory oversight across ranges and divisions. With greater authority and clearly defined command responsibilities, these officers will be better positioned to ensure effective enforcement of forest laws, improved monitoring of vulnerable areas, timely response to forest and wildlife offences, and stronger coordination with local communities and enforcement agencies.
The enhanced field leadership is expected to reinforce protection measures in ecologically sensitive areas, curb illicit activities, improve ground-level intelligence, and ensure more efficient implementation of conservation schemes and afforestation initiatives.
This development will contribute meaningfully to strengthening forest governance, ecological security, and public confidence in the Forest Department’s commitment to sustainable forest management.
The PCCF concluded the ceremony by wishing the newly appointed Deputy Rangers success in their future endeavours and urging them to maintain the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and dedication in the discharge of their duties.
The ceremony ended on a note of pride and renewed commitment, reaffirming the Forest Department’s resolve to protect and conserve the rich forest and wildlife heritage of Manipur for present and future generations.
