J&K Govt Orders Transfers, Additional Charge Assignments in Forest Department

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, June 12: The Jammu & Kashmir Government on Friday ordered a reshuffle in the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, transferring and assigning new responsibilities to several officers with immediate effect in the interest of administration.

According to Government Order No. 115-JK(FST) of 2026, issued by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, a number of officers, including Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs) and Range Officers, have been transferred or assigned additional responsibilities across Jammu and Kashmir.

Among the key changes, Rafi Ahmed Bhat, DCF, who was holding charge as Regional Director, Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing Kashmir, has been assigned the charge of Joint Director, Forest Protection Force Kashmir. In a corresponding move, Maraj-ud-Din Mailk, DCF, who was serving as Joint Director, Forest Protection Force Kashmir, has been entrusted with the charge of Regional Director, Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing Kashmir.

Bishan Dass, DCF, awaiting adjustment in the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF), has been posted as Joint Director, J&K Forest Research Institute against an available vacancy. He will also hold the additional charge of DFO, Research Division Jammu.

Mehnaz Anjum Malik, DCF, has been posted as General Manager, Sales and Marketing Circle, Forest Development Corporation Limited (FDCL), Jammu.

The order also assigns additional responsibilities to several officers. Danish Khan, ACF, will continue as DFO Social Forestry Division Baramulla while also looking after the charge of Principal, Kashmir Forest Training School, Chitternar. Mohinder Singh, ACF, has been assigned the charge of Project Officer, NH-1A Batote.

Among Range Officers, Nadeem Iqbal Mirza has been given additional charge of Project Officer, Compensatory Afforestation (CAT) Mendhar, while Rameez Raja has been transferred as Range Officer Doodhganga Range in Budgam. Yasir Amin has been posted as Range Officer Sukhnag Range in Pir Panjal Forest Division, Budgam.

Neesa Imtiyaz, currently serving as Technical Officer with the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Kashmir, has been assigned the additional charge of Range Officer, WUCMA Kashmir.

Other transfers include Javid Ahmad Chopan, who has been posted as Range Officer Gulmarg Range in the Special Forest Division Tangmarg; Zahoor Ali Khan, transferred as Range Officer Ningli Range in Bandipora Forest Division; and Rayees Ahmad Reshi, shifted from Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary to Dachigam National Park.

The government clarified that the transfers and postings would not confer any preferential claim for promotion and would remain subject to the outcome of any pending court cases. Officers displaced from their present postings and not adjusted through the order have been directed to report to the PCCF and HoFF, J&K, until further orders.

The order was issued by Sheetal Nanda, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment.