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RTI
Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society Department of Forest, Environment & Climate Change Goverment of Odisha
Government of Odisha emblem
About

About OFSDS

Empowering communities, restoring ecosystems.

OFSDS

A Premier Nodal Agency for Sustainable Forestry

The Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society (OFSDS) is an autonomous organization under the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha. Established in 2006-07, it has evolved into a premier nodal agency for implementing large-scale, community-driven forestry and livelihood initiatives across the state.

Flagship Frameworks & Projects

Through global support and dedicated state setups, the society scales community institutional architectures like the Vana Surakshya Samiti (VSS). Key execution frameworks include the JICA-assisted OFSDP Phase-II (Banayana) running across specialized landscape corridors, and the state-wide Ama Jangala Yojana (AJY) focused heavily on restorative agro-forestry, community micro-planning, and structural ecosystem regeneration.

"Ecological conservation is most successful when it is inclusive."
Forestry

Our Core Objectives

Environmental Quality

Improving forest cover and biodiversity through scientific management and ANR.

Sustainable Livelihoods

Creating alternative income streams for tribal populations to reduce forest dependency.

Community Empowerment

Strengthening grassroots institutions like VSS and Eco-Development Committees.

Climate Resilience

Enhancing carbon sequestration and promoting adaptation strategies.

Leadership

anandk
IFS, 2004 BATCH

Anand Kumar Prabhakar, IFS

Project Director, OFSDP | CEO OFSDS(Society)

Shri Anand Kumar Prabhakar, IFS (2004 Batch) is an Indian Forest Service officer of the Odisha cadre with extensive leadership experience across forest administration, conservation governance, and key central deputations. He brings proven administrative expertise and strategic vision to sustainable forest management and environmental stewardship.

CCF(P&A),CCF (P&SM) and CCF (T&D), Cuttack Circle
Formerly DIGF, MoEF&CC, New Delhi
How We're Organised

The OFSDS

From the parent ministry down to Vana Surakshya Samitis on the ground — the governance and operational chain that runs every project.

Apex Authority

Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department

Government of Odisha
Oversight

High Power Committee

Chair: Chief Secretary, Odisha
14 members
Governance

Governing Body

Chair: Principal Secretary, FE&CC Dept.
7 members
Member Secretary

Shri Anand Kumar Prabhakar, IFS

CEO, OFSDS, Project Director, OFSDP
PMU Lead
JPD

Joint Project Director

Technical & Programme Coordination
DPD

Deputy Project Director

Field Operations & Implementation
SPM

State Programme Manager(5)

Livelihood Enhancement, Institutional Development, Planning & Strategy, M&E, GIS & MIS
DMU

Division Management Units

28 OFSDP  ·  23 AJY
FMU

Forest Management Units

FMU Coordinators & Field staff
Community

VSS / EDC

8,000+ Vana Surakshya Samitis
Apex & Operations Governance Committees PMU Lead Field Network

Governance Framework

  • High Power Committee: Chaired by the Chief Secretary of Odisha.
  • Governing Body: Chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Forest Dept).
  • Project Management Unit (PMU): Led by the Project Director for daily execution.

Key Initiatives

OFSDP Phase-II (Banayana)
Sustainable landscape management assisted by JICA.
Ama Jangala Yojana (AJY)
Restoration of degraded forests and socio-economic development.
OFSDS-OMBADC
Dedicated for Livelihood Enhancing and MFP market linkages.
Legacy & Leadership

Former Project Directors

Distinguished officers who have steered the Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society through various phases.

Shri G. Rajesh
Current
Shri Anand K. Prabhakar, IFS

Project Director

24.07.2026 to Till Date

Shri G. Rajesh
Shri G. Rajesh, IFS

Addl.PCCF (Projects) & Project Director

02.02.2026 to 24.07.2026

Dr. K. Murugesan
Dr. K. Murugesan, IFS

PCCF (Projects)-cum-Project Director

30.06.2025(AN) to 02.02.2026

Dr. (Mrs.) Meeta Biswal
Dr. (Mrs.) Meeta Biswal, IFS

PCCF (Projects)-cum-Project Director

02.08.2021 to 30.06.2025

Addl. PCCF and (I/c) Project Director

01.06.2021 to 01.08.2021

Dr. Sudarsan Panda
Dr. Sudarsan Panda, IFS

PCCF (Projects)-cum-Project Director

09.12.2019 to 31.05.2021

Dr. (Mrs.) Meeta Biswal
Dr. (Mrs.) Meeta Biswal, IFS

Addl. PCCF (Projects)-cum-Project Director

01.11.2019 to 08.12.2019

Sri L.K. Tewari
Sri L.K. Tewari, IFS

PCCF cum Project Director

09.01.2019 to 01.11.2019

Addl. PCCF cum Project Director

05.09.2017 to 08.01.2019

Sri Susanta Nanda
Sri Susanta Nanda, IFS

Chief Conservator of Forest (I/c) Project Director

01.05.2017 to 04.09.2017

Dr. Ajit Kumar Patnaik
Dr. Ajit Kumar Patnaik, IFS

PCCF & Project Director

10.11.2015 to 30.04.2017

Sri L.K. Tewari
Sri L.K. Tewari, IFS

Chief Conservator of Forest (I/c) Project Director

01.10.2015 to 09.11.2015

Dr. Ajit Kumar Patnaik
Shri. Subhas Chandra Mishra, IFS

PCCF & Project Director

03.03.2015 to 30.09.2015

Dr. Ajit Kumar Patnaik
Dr. Ajit Kumar Patnaik, IFS

Addl.PCCF & Project Director

30.09.2014 to 02.03.2015

Dr. (Mrs.) Meeta Biswal
Shri Vinod Kumar, IFS

PCCF and Project Director

29.08.2011 to 29.09.2014

Addl. PCCF and Project Director

29.12.2010 to 28.08.2011

Dr. (Mrs.) Meeta Biswal
Shri Arun Kumar Bansal, IFS

PCCF and Project Director

01.07.2009 to 28.12.2010

Addl. PCCF and Project Director

27.06.2006 to 30.06.2009

Interactive Division Map

14

OFSDP-II Divisions

23+

AJY Divisions

8,000+

VSS / EDCs Empowered

30

Districts Reached