Jammu: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has abolished two temporarily created posts of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) in Jammu and Kashmir with effect from August 1, 2026, while ordering the transfer of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer M K Kumar to the Union Territory.
According to separate office orders issued by the ministry on October 16, the two PCCF posts—one cadre post and one ex-cadre post—have been abolished following a recommendation by the Joint Cadre Authority.
The posts had initially been created temporarily for two years from August 1, 2022, through an office order issued on the same date. Their tenure was subsequently extended by one year beyond July 31, 2024, up to July 31, 2025.
In August 2025, the ministry further extended the tenure of the two posts by another year beyond July 31, 2025. The latest order, however, abolishes both posts retrospectively with effect from August 1, 2026.
The ministry stated that the decision had been taken in continuation of its earlier office order dated August 7, 2025, and in accordance with the Joint Cadre Authority’s recommendation. The order was issued with the approval of the competent authority.
In a separate order issued on October 16, the ministry also ordered the transfer and posting of M K Kumar, an IFS officer of the 2006 AGMUT cadre batch, with immediate effect and until further orders.
Kumar, who was holding the post of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), has been transferred from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Jammu and Kashmir.
The officer, who is in Pay Level 14, with a pay matrix ranging from Rs 1,44,200 to Rs 2,18,200, has been directed to join his new place of posting and submit his joining report to the ministry.
Both orders were issued by Shravan Kumar, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
