SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has ordered the transfer and posting of 15 officers and officials across various forest divisions in the Jammu region, with the changes taking effect immediately.
The reshuffle was notified through Forest Order No. 221 of 2026, dated October 24, issued by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF and HoFF), Jammu and Kashmir. The order partially modifies an earlier Forest Order No. 202 of 2026, issued on September 29.
Under the revised arrangements, Anil Kumar Bhagat, Range Officer at Thakrakote Range in Reasi Forest Division, has been transferred to Kalakote Range in Rajouri Forest Division. Avtar Singh Kurhan, a Forester holding the charge of Range Officer in the Demarcation Division, Jammu, has been assigned charge of Thakrakote Range.
Sanjeev Singh, Forester (DDR), who was holding charge of the Anti-Polythene Check Post at Lakhanpur in Kathua Forest Division, has been assigned charge of SF Range Billawar in the Social Forestry Division, Kathua, replacing Sukhdev. Amardeep Singh, Forester and former in-charge of Agrostology Range in Rajouri, will take over the Anti-Polythene Check Post at Lakhanpur.
Kashif Javed, Forester (DDR), who was holding charge of Udhampur/Batote Range under MFP, has been assigned charge of Panchari Range in Udhampur Forest Division, replacing Shakti Bahadur.
Pawan Sharma, Forester and in-charge of Range Officer duties at Jambu Zoo, has been posted to Jasrota Range in Kathua Forest Division in place of Munish Gupta-II. Gupta has been shifted to Social Forestry Range, Hiranagar, in the Social Forestry Division, Kathua, replacing Ashok Raina.
Varinder Singh Salathia, Forester and in-charge of Jindrah Range in Jammu Forest Division, has been assigned charge of ETF Range, Basohli, under ETF Jammu, replacing R.D. Singh. Mohd Saleem Choudhary, a Forester posted in the PCCF and HoFF office, will take over Jindrah Range.
Naresh Kumar Sharma, Forester and in-charge of Reasi Range in Reasi Forest Division, has been posted to Ramkot Range in Billawar Forest Division in place of Sanjeev Kumar.
Surinder Singh Chib, Forester and in-charge of Soil Range, Batote, in Batote Forest Division, has been assigned charge of Sudh Mahadev Range in Wildlife Division, Jammu, replacing Mahesh Abrol.
Naseer Ahmed Malik, Forester and in-charge of Agrostology Range in Udhampur, has been posted to Gulabgarh Range in Mahore Forest Division in place of Amrik Singh.
Mohammad Rafi, Forester and in-charge of Kalakote Range in Rajouri Forest Division, has been transferred to Mendhar Range in Poonch Forest Division. He will relieve Aurang Zeb of the additional charge of Mendhar Range.
The order also assigns Surjit Singh, Block Officer at Sumah Block in Jammu Forest Division, charge of Estate Range in the Urban Forestry Division, Jammu, against an available vacancy. Sajid Navaid, Block Officer at Puneja-II in Bhaderwah Forest Division, has been assigned charge of Soil Range in Bhaderwah Forest Division, also against an available vacancy.
The order clarifies that these arrangements will not confer any preferential claim for promotion, which will be governed by the applicable rules. The postings will also remain subject to the outcome of any writ petitions pending before courts of competent jurisdiction.
Officials relieved from their existing assignments but not given a new posting under the order have been directed to report to their respective Heads of Departments until further orders. All officers and officials covered by the order are deemed to have been relieved with immediate effect.
