The decision follows recommendations from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Hyderabad, who stressed the need for senior officers of sufficient rank to handle the sensitive process of forest settlement.
Published Oct 26, 2025 | 7:54 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 26, 2025 | 7:54 PM
The task involves the demarcation and verification of forest boundaries.
Synopsis: The Telangana government has transferred the management of forest land settlements from Joint Collectors to Additional Collectors, appointing them as ex-officio Forest Settlement Officers in all districts to expedite dispute resolution. The move aims to strengthen forest governance, ensure consistent land classification, and address objections and encroachments under the Telangana Forest Act, 1967.
In a significant administrative move, the Telangana government has appointed Additional Collectors (Revenue) as ex-officio Forest Settlement Officers across all districts of the state.
The Government Order (GO No 92), dated 24 October, marks an important shift in the management and settlement of forest lands under the Telangana Forest Act, 1967 (Act No 17 of 1967).
The notification, to be published in the Telangana Gazette on 31 October, aims to strengthen forest governance and resolve long-pending disputes over land classification.
The decision follows recommendations from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Hyderabad, who stressed the need for senior officers of sufficient rank to handle the sensitive process of forest settlement.
The task involves the demarcation and verification of forest boundaries, responsibilities earlier assigned to Joint Collectors.
Under the new arrangement, Additional Collectors will assume these duties, bringing their administrative experience and expertise to the complex exercise, according to official sources.
The government expects this change to improve coordination between departments and ensure a more streamlined and accountable approach to forest management.
The order also directs the newly appointed officers to work closely with District Revenue Officers and District Forest Officers to expedite the Survey and Settlement of Forest Boundaries project, launched on 1 March 2018.
A crucial feature of the GO is the delegation of authority to handle objections and appeals concerning forest land classification. Acting under Section 4 of the Telangana Forest Act, 1967, the officers are empowered to determine whether any land should be declared as Reserved Forest and to examine claims or rights asserted by individuals or institutions over such land.
They will also address disputes related to encroachments and objections to proposed forest boundaries.
The PCCF had earlier noted that staff deployed under the forest settlement scheme since 28 February 2018 had been working under the supervision of Joint Collectors.
However, the government’s latest decision to designate Additional Collectors for this role is seen as a strategic step to ensure more effective inter-departmental coordination and to leverage senior revenue officers’ experience in dispute resolution.
Officials believe that involving higher-level revenue officers will bring greater clarity and consistency to the forest settlement process, particularly in districts where land-use conflicts are common.
The effectiveness of this initiative will depend on how efficiently the newly appointed officers can navigate the complexities of land classification, address local grievances, and collaborate with forest officials to uphold the provisions of the 1967 Act.
