Dr. G. Chandrashekar Reddy, IFS (Retd.), Chief Information Commissioner, Government of Telangana, is a distinguished environmental leader, administrator, and public policy innovator whose remarkable career in the Indian Forest Service spanned over 34 years. Throughout this time, he served with dedication and distinction across seven pivotal sectors of governance, including Forests, Rural Development, Irrigation, Energy, Urban Development, Human Resource Development, and the Chief Minister’s Office. His work left a profound impact on institutional systems, ecological landscapes, and the lives of countless communities in Telangana and beyond.
He began his journey in public service as a probationer and went on to contribute twelve years directly to the Forest Department. Over the next nineteen years, he expanded his influence across multiple developmental departments, reflecting both the depth and breadth of his administrative capabilities. At every stage, he brought visionary thinking, deep ecological sensitivity, and practical innovation to the roles he undertook.
One of Dr. Reddy’s most impactful legacies is the establishment of the Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI) in Mulugu, a landmark institution that has laid the foundation for professional forestry education in Telangana. He also played a crucial role in developing the Snake Rescue Centre in collaboration with the Friends of Snakes Society, which has grown into India’s largest program for snake conservation and public education.
In his commitment to urban ecological restoration, Dr. Reddy spearheaded the development of the Oxygen Park at Kandlakoya in Medchal, introducing unique features such as a canopy walk and an aviary. He also conceived and developed Forestrek Park at Chilkur Reserve Forest, setting a new benchmark in nature-based urban recreation. His establishment of the Vruksha Parichaya Kshetram at the Botanical Gardens offered a cultural experience of native biodiversity, while his leadership in the Yadadri model plantation catalyzed a movement of natural regeneration that has since been replicated across the state.
Dr. Reddy’s urban forest interventions, including the Red Sanders conservation park at Chittoor, significantly strengthened climate resilience in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region. His commitment to participatory forest management led to the successful implementation of Joint Forest Management (JFM) programs and integrated watershed development initiatives. These efforts, often supported by global partnerships including DFID, JICA, and the World Bank, empowered local communities while restoring degraded ecosystems.
His vision extended beyond afforestation to green architecture and infrastructure. Under his guidance, seventeen sustainable green buildings were constructed, ranging from forest guest houses and training centers to administrative offices and residential quarters. These included notable facilities at Tirumala, Medchal, and the Forest Management and Ecotourism Complex in Hyderabad.
A firm believer in institutional strengthening, Dr. Reddy established the Forest Nest Complex in Kothaguda for the Forest Officers’ Association, restructured the Telangana Forest Development Corporation (TGFDC), and initiated new recruitments to ensure the organization’s long-term capacity. His tenure saw unprecedented welfare initiatives, such as the disbursal of annual bonuses to staff for three consecutive years.
As Course Director at the MCRHRDI, Dr. Reddy led the 86th and 87th Foundation Courses for All India Services and Central Civil Services probationers, shaping a new generation of public servants. His contributions also include the implementation of the nationally acclaimed Dried Dug Well Recharge method, a simple yet transformative water conservation innovation that has been adopted across several states.
A passionate advocate of ecotourism as a tool for conservation and education, Dr. Reddy crafted the Ecotourism Policy for Telangana and pioneered several projects in locations such as Jalalpur, Kinnerasani, Vikarabad, and Turkam Cheruvu. He conceptualized and launched “Deccan Woods & Trails,” Telangana’s own ecotourism brand under TGFDC, introduced the Virtual Wildlife Safari at Kothaguda, and expanded the safari vehicle fleet with 40 new vehicles, enhancing eco-experiential tourism across the state.
Among his notable innovations was the “Dr. GCS Reddy Neelagiri Productivity Challenge,” a strategic effort to double eucalyptus productivity in TGFDC areas. Under his leadership, the corporation achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, placing Telangana on the global map for sustainable forest management.
He championed the cause of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for forest-fringe communities, enabling the construction of schools and hospitals, distributing mobility scooters to 200 differently abled persons, and supporting traditional artisans and conservation NGOs. His vision integrated conservation with compassion and community development.
Dr. Reddy is academically accomplished, holding a B.Sc. in Forestry from Osmania University, an M.Sc. in Life Sciences from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Kakatiya University. He further enhanced his expertise in public policy and management at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and Syracuse University, USA. His academic journey was marked by prestigious fellowships, including those from CSIR, UGC, ICFRE, and GATE.
His exemplary service has been recognized at the highest levels. He was personally commended by two Presidents of India—Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Shri Ram Nath Kovind—and received the Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award in 2007. In 2025, he was honored with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award by Raj Bhavan, Telangana, for his unparalleled contribution to environment and development. Former Chief Secretary of Telangana, Sri S.K. Joshi, aptly described him as “The Kohinoor in the PCCF’s crown.”
Dr. Reddy has had global exposure, having visited all continents and more than forty international cities as part of his professional engagements. He served as a Research Associate at IIM Bangalore and frequently delivers leadership sessions at premier training institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA).
He holds the unique distinction of being the first B.Sc. Forestry graduate to join the Indian Forest Service, the first IFS officer to be appointed Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, and the first to serve as both State Chief Information Commissioner and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Telangana.
Today, Dr. G. Chandrashekar Reddy continues to inspire countless public servants, conservationists, and citizens. His enduring contributions represent a rare convergence of ecological stewardship, policy acumen, administrative excellence, and humanitarian values.
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