Shri Mana Ram Baloch, an Indian Forest Service Officer of the 1990 Batch from the West Bengal Cadre, currently serves as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Director of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) - Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) in Jodhpur, on central deputation. With a background in M.Sc. Zoology and M.A. English Literature from Jodhpur University, he has a diverse range of experience spanning over 34 years. His professional journey includes serving in various capacities such as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF), Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Conservator of Forests (CF), and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in West Bengal. He has also been deputed thrice to AFRI, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, indicating his strong ties and contributions to the institute. Hailing from Sonu, Jaisalmer, he holds extensive expertise in Thal Desert ecology, General Administration, Forest & Wildlife Management, Joint Forest Management, Nursery and Afforestation, Forest Protection, Timber Operations, Medicinal Plants, Silviculture Practices, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), Research, Education, and Extension Management. Shri Mana Ram Baloch has received several accolades for his contributions, including the prestigious Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Fellowship Award, Lt. Pramodpuri Goswami Smriti Puraskar, and Guru Jambheswar Paryavaran Sanrakshan International Puraskar, recognizing his social, forest, and environmental services. His international exposure includes training at Melbourne University, Creswick, Australia in 2001, focusing on GIS tools, and involvement in Forest & Wildlife Management in Thimphu, Bhutan in 2006. With over 16 years of service on deputation at AFRI and his current role as Director, Shri Mana Ram Baloch has played a pivotal role in steering research and development at AFRI towards new horizons, contributing significantly to the advancement of forestry and environmental sciences.