Corbett Tiger Reserve Director Saket Badola Announces Voluntary Retirement

Saket Badola, director of Corbett Tiger Reserve and Chief Conservator of Forests, on Friday announced his decision to voluntarily retire from the Indian Forest Service (IFS), citing personal reasons.

Badola, a 2008-batch IFS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, shared the decision in a social media post, triggering a stir among forest department officials and employees. However, he did not disclose any specific reason for his decision.

“After months of serious contemplation, I have decided to voluntarily retire from the Indian Forest Service on personal grounds,” Badola wrote in his post. Hailing from Kotdwar in Pauri district, Badola worked as a veterinarian before joining the forest service. He began his career in 2009 as a trainee divisional forest officer in the Terai Western Forest Division.

He subsequently served as deputy director of Corbett Tiger Reserve and also headed a cell established to prevent wildlife trafficking. He later took charge as director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

Badola was appointed director of Corbett Tiger Reserve in July 2024, following his transfer from Rajaji Tiger Reserve. He was promoted to the post of Chief Conservator of Forests last year. Reflecting on his career, Badola expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the public and contribute to nature and wildlife conservation.

“Today, as I look back on my long and fulfilling career, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunities I have had to serve the public, contribute to nature and wildlife conservation and, most importantly, understand the grassroots challenges facing our nation,” he said. He also expressed hope that he would continue contributing to nation-building in whatever capacity possible.

Badola thanked the various governments he had served, his colleagues, forest personnel, family, friends and the public for their support and encouragement throughout his career.

“I shall always remain grateful to the various governments I have served, my colleagues in the Service, the brave forest staff, my family, my friends, and the public at large for their immense support, countless blessings, and unconditional love,” he wrote.