J&K Forest Department Orders Major Reshuffle, Transfers DFOs, ACFs and Range Officers
Jammu, September 16, 2026: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a major administrative reshuffle in the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department, involving the transfers and postings of several officers at the level of Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs) and Range Officers.
The changes have been ordered by the Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, vide Government Order No. 285-JK(FST) of 2026 dated September 16, 2026.
The order, issued by Sheetal Nanda, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, states that the transfers and postings have been made “in the interest of administration” and shall take effect immediately.
Key DFO and ACF Changes
According to the government order, Mudasir Mehmood Malik, DCF, presently serving as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Awantipora Forest Division, has been assigned the additional charge of General Manager, Extraction Circle South, Harang, Anantnag, J&K FDL, in addition to his existing duties.
Neha Mehta, ACF, who was serving as I/c Principal, Soil Conservation Training School, Miran Sahib, has been assigned the charge of DFO Research, Division Jammu (SFRI). Her posting relieves Bishan Dass, DCF, of the additional charge.
Meanwhile, Harpreet Kour, ACF, who was awaiting adjustment in the Office of the PCCF/HoFF, J&K, has been assigned the charge of Special Secretary (Technical), Civil Secretariat, vice Vivek Modi, ACF.
Vivek Modi, ACF, has subsequently been assigned the charge of Principal, Soil Conservation Training School, Miran Sahib, vice Neha Mehta.
Range Officer Transfers and Postings
The government order also contains several changes involving Range Officers and other field-level officials.
- Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal, RO-I, Range Officer, Mawar Langate Range, will also hold the additional charge of Rajwar Range, alongside his existing responsibilities.
- Mudasir Ahmad Shah, RO-I, who was awaiting adjustment in the Office of the PCCF/HoFF, J&K, has been posted as Range Officer, Ramhal Range, Kehmil Forest Division.
- Arooq Ahmad Shah, RO-I, has been transferred from Range Officer, Traal Range, Awantipora Division, to Range Officer, Shopian Range, Shopian Division, vice Farooq Ahmad Mir.
- Suhail Ahmad Wani, RO-I, has been transferred from Range Officer, ZSCO Pampore, to Range Officer, SPCP Range, Tangmarg Forest Division.
- Sameer Ahmad, RO-I, who was awaiting adjustment in the Office of the PCCF/HoFF, J&K, has been posted as Assistant Administrative Officer, JKFPDCL.
- Haroon Mushtaq, RO-I, has been transferred from Range Officer, Haveli Range, to Range Officer, Wildlife Range Poonch, vice Mohd Idris Khan, Forester. Mohd Idris Khan has been directed to report to the PCCF/HoFF, J&K, for further posting.
- Farooq Ahmad Mir, RO-I, has been transferred from Range Officer, Shopian Range, Shopian Division, to Range Officer, Traal Range, Awantipora Division, vice Arooq Ahmad Shah.
- Aurangzeb, RO-I, presently attached to the Office of the Hon’ble Minister, Forest, Ecology & Environment, has been posted as Range Officer, Haveli Range. He will also hold the charge of Mendhar Range.
- Mohammad Shamim, Forester, presently working as I/c Range Officer, Mendhar Range, has been posted to the Office of the Hon’ble Minister, Forest, Ecology & Environment.
Order Circulated to Concerned Authorities
The government has directed that the order be communicated to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/HoFF, J&K, the Joint Secretary (J&K), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and all Heads of Departments of the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department, J&K, for information and necessary action.
The reshuffle will come into effect immediately, as specified in the government order.
