The story of Indore's first woman Territorial Forest Range Officer, her family legacy from the 1940s, and her mission to move beyond data to true sustainability.
ANGELS OF INDORE: The Guardian of the Green Canopy
By Tina Khatri | April 5, 2026
Angel: Sangeeta Thakur, FRO
Endorser: Pradeep Mishra, DFO-SF
In the bustling urban sprawl of Indore, where concrete often contends with the sky, there exists a silent, green revolution. At its helm is Sangeeta Thakur.
As the first woman Territorial Forest Range Officer in Indore, Thakur is redefining what it means to be a civil servant, blending the discipline of management with the heart of an educator. For Sangeeta, the forest isn’t just a jurisdiction; it’s her heritage.
A Legacy in the Soil
Her connection to the earth was forged in childhood. Her father, Daryav Singh Thakur, a dedicated teacher, wove trees into family life as "green fences." This legacy stretches back to her grandfather, who grew a private forest in the 1940s—a feat so remarkable the British government awarded him ₹15,000.
"We didn’t play with plastic toys. We played in the fields, with leaves and soil. The forest was our playground before it was my office."
Breaking Barriers
Sangeeta initially served as a teacher in 2013, but the "whispering woods" of Sidhi pulled her toward a different calling. In 2018, she cleared the PSC exam, specifically choosing the forest department. Despite warnings that the role was too demanding for a mother with a young child, she volunteered for the Indore range.
"When people say 'no' to me, I am even more inclined to do it," she says with a quiet smile. Drawing inspiration from Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar, she serves the land with maternal care and unwavering strength.
Beyond the Data: Sangeeta's Philosophy
- The 5-Year Rule: Celebrate the survival of a sapling for five years, rather than just the day it is planted.
- Sustainable Community: Training villagers in rainwater harvesting and the long-term flourishing of local flora.
- The Datuni Milestone: Guided villagers to plant 24,000 saplings on March 12, creating a future forest for the region.
In a world obsessed with data, Sangeeta Thakur remains a voice of reason. Under her watch, the canopy of Indore isn't just growing; it's being nurtured back to life by a guardian who knows that the best legacy is one that breathes.