Major administrative reshuffle in J&K Forest Dept; key transfers and postings ordered

Srinagar: In a major administrative move aimed at streamlining the functioning of the Forest Department, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has ordered a series of transfers and postings across various forest divisions and departments. The decision, issued under Government Order No. III JK (FST) of 2025 by the Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, takes immediate effect.

According to the order signed by Commissioner/Secretary Sheetal Nanda, IAS, a copy of which has been shared with Ziraat Times, the reshuffle includes both senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers and other departmental officers.

As per the order:

• Dr M. K. Kumar, IFS (AGMUT:2006), Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, will hold the charge of Regional Director, Social Forestry, Jammu, in addition to his existing duties.

• Mr. Irfan Rasool Wani, IFS (AGMUT:2006), Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, will similarly hold additional charge as Regional Director, Social Forestry, Kashmir.

• Mr. Satyendra Maurya, IFS (AGMUT:2020), has been transferred from Baramulla to take over as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Udhampur.

• Mr. Shahbazul Rahman, IFS (AGMUT:2022), moves from Mahore to become DFO Doda.

• Mr. Bishan Dass, DCF, previously General Manager P&P, Jammu, is now posted as DFO Ramban, replacing Mr. Ankit Sinha, IFS (AGMUT:2022), who will await further posting at the office of PCCF/HoFF, J&K.

• Mr. Zahid Aslam Moghal, DCF, under previous orders for Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing, Jammu, has now been posted as DFO Baramulla.

• Mr. Owais Farooq Mir, DCF, will now serve as DFO Kamraj, moving from his role as Project Coordinator, WUCMA (Biodiversity & Livelihood).

• Mr. Vijay Kumar Verma, DCF, shifts from Kishtwar to become DFO Mahore.

• Mr. Mahesh Kumar, ACF, will now look after the charge of DFO Kishtwar.

• Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Kattoo, ACF, moves from Kulgam to handle DFO Anantnag.

• Mr. Himayun Kabir Qadri, ACF, is transferred to oversee DFO Lidder.

• Mr. Qamar Rashid Khan, ACF, previously attached to Nowshera, will now look after DFO Shopian.

• Mr. Mushtaq Hussain Choudhary, ACF, will manage DFO Poonch Social Forestry, while Mr. Naveed Iqbal, ACF, shifts to DFO Rajouri.

The reshuffle is expected to strengthen administrative efficiency and operational oversight across the Union Territory’s forest divisions, addressing both environmental management and ongoing forestry initiatives.