P. Pugazhendi takes charge as Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala

P. Pugazhendi, a 1996 batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, has officially taken charge as the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) of Kerala.

Dr. Pugazhendi, who is also the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), holds a Post Graduate Degree in Forestry from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and a PhD in Forest Biodiversity Conservation from the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun. He is an expert in the field of scientific management of teak plantations in Malabar and Travancore regions.

Dr. Pugazhendi served as Conservator of Forests (Human Resource Development) in Thiruvananthapuram and as Chief Conservator of Forests (South sircle, Kollam), overseeing the four districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthittta and Alappuzha.

Apart from forestry, he has held several key administrative posts such as Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Executive Director of MILMA and Director of Planned Tribal Development.

Published – 27 Jun 2026 20:25 IST