Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has carried out a significant administrative reshuffle in the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, transferring and posting nine officers, including eight Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, to key positions across the Union Territory.
The orders, issued on July 16, involve appointments to important posts in wildlife conservation, social forestry, forest development, vigilance and territorial forest divisions.
Kamal Preet Given Social Forestry Charge
Kamal Preet, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF), who was awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Director, Social Forestry.
In addition, she has been assigned the additional charge of Director, Soil and Water Conservation, Jammu & Kashmir.
Suneesh Buxy Appointed PCCF (Wildlife)
Dr Buxy, an IFS officer of 1998 batch, who was serving as Managing Director, Forest Development Corporation Ltd, has been transferred and appointed as:
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) / Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K
- Director, Jammu & Kashmir Forest Research Institute (JKFRI)
The appointment places him in charge of the Union Territory’s wildlife conservation and forest research programmes.
Dr K. Anandh Takes Over Forest Development Corporation
Dr K. Anandh, who was serving as Chief Conservator of Forests (Central) in the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) while also holding additional charge of Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance), has been transferred and posted as:
- Managing Director, Forest Development Corporation Ltd
Additional Responsibilities Assigned to M.K. Kumar
M.K. Kumar, currently Chief Conservator of Forests (Working Plan, Research & Training), has been entrusted with additional responsibilities.
He will now also hold the additional charge of:
- Chief Conservator of Forests (Central), Office of PCCF/HoFF
- Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance)
Sandeep Kumar Posted as Regional Wildlife Warden
Sandeep Kumar, who was awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu.
With this appointment, Dr V.S. Senthil Kumar has been relieved of the additional charge of the post.
Field-Level Transfers
The reshuffle also includes several important field postings:
- Sandeep Divyajyot Behera, DCF awaiting adjustment, has been posted as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Udhampur Forest Division.
- Ashish Bishnoi, Assistant Conservator of Forests in the Office of PCCF/HoFF, has been transferred as Assistant Director/Wildlife Warden, Jambu Zoo, replacing Amrik Singh, who will await further adjustment orders in the PCCF/HoFF office.
- Jhansi, Assistant Conservator of Forests with the Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, has been posted as DFO, Kathua Forest Division.
- Pankaj Raina, Assistant Conservator of Forests and DFO, Eco Task Force, Jammu, has been assigned the additional charge of DFO, Minor Forest Produce (MFP), Jammu, against the available vacancy.
Strengthening Forest Administration
The latest reshuffle is aimed at strengthening the administration of the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department by filling key leadership positions across wildlife conservation, territorial forestry, research, vigilance and field administration.
The changes are expected to enhance coordination in forest governance, wildlife protection and conservation initiatives across Jammu and Kashmir.
