J&K Forest Planning and Publicity Division

07/10/2026

Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment, J&K, Sheetal Nanda (IAS) chairs a review meeting at Forest Complex, Sheikh Bagh Srinagar:

Oct 07, Sheetal Nanda (IAS), Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment chaired a meeting at Forest Complex, Sheikh Bagh Srinagar to review the progress made in the Kashmir Division by the Forest Territorial and Wildlife wings of the department in respect of the Physical/financial targets/achievements of all the ongoing/new works under UT Capex Budget 2026-27.

22/09/2026

PCCF felicitates School Children for Forest Photography Competition:
Principal Chief Conservator Forests (PCCF)/ Head of Forest Force (HoFF), J&K, Sarvesh Rai, IFS felicitated the participants of Forest Photography Competition organized by the Balwan Block of S Park Range of Urban Forestry Division, Srinagar. The event was attended by Conservator of Forests, Srinagar Circle, Divisional Forest Officer, Urban Forestry Division Srinagar, Divisional Forest Officer, Planning & Publicity/ Statistics Division Srinagar, Shri Nazir Benazir and other officers.
Launched by the J&K Forest Department, the initiative aims at fostering interest among school going children to delve into soaring environmental concerns and inculcate in them a passion of plantation and preservation of forest trees as an objective to contribute to sustenance of better and healthy forest ecosystem. The competition witnessed alacritous participation from the Students of various schools across Srinagar and top honors were awarded to four students for exceptional forest paintings besides all others were felicitated with certificates of participation.
Speaking at the event, PCCF emphasized that these students are future ambassadors of forest conservation and such participation reflects their unabating interest in conserving biodiversity for sustainable development. He further appreciated the participants for their interest and contribution towards nature’s conservation.

20/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CSqNb1tvm/

11/09/2026

On the solemn eve of Forest Martyrs Day, observed on 11th September 2026, the Forest Department paid heartfelt wreath-laying homage to the brave Forest Martyrs, commemorating their supreme sacrifices, unwavering valour and exemplary commitment towards the protection, preservation and conservation of Forests of J&K.

11/09/2026

Forest Martyrs’ Day was observed today at Kashmir Forest Training School Chitternar Bandipora in solemn remembrance of the Forest Martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty for the protection and preservation of our forests and natural heritage.

Homage was paid to the martyrs by the Principal KFTS, officers and staff of Social Forestry Range Bandipora and the KFTS Chitternar staff, reaffirming the department’s commitment to honouring supreme sacrifice of fallen Green Soldiers..

11/09/2026

Forest Department Observes Forest Martyrs Day at Shankaracharya Hills, Srinagar:

Srinagar, September 11: The Forest Department today observed Forest Martyrs Day at Shankaracharya Hills, Srinagar, paying solemn tribute to forest personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
The gathering was headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), Sh. Sarvesh Rai, IFS, and was attended by senior officers of the Department, including the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir; Conservator of Forests, Srinagar Circle, Joint Director, FPF Kashmir; Joint Director, Soil Conservation, Kashmir; Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs); Deputy Director, FPF Srinagar; Range Officers; and other field staff. The gathering was also attended by Sh. Nazir Benazir, CAMPA NGO Member.
The PCCF and HoFF, along with senior officers of the Department, paid floral tributes at the Martyrs Memorial in honour of the fallen.
Speaking on the occasion, the PCCF and HoFF highlighted the challenging conditions under which forest personnel discharge their duties ranging from encounters with wild animals to confrontations with timber smugglers. He paid rich tributes to the Forest Martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duties, ensuring the ecological security of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
As a mark of remembrance, the Department also planted conifer saplings under the banner "Ek Ped Shaheedon Ke Naam" in honour of the Forest Martyrs at Balwan Srinagar.

10/09/2026

Awareness Drive-cum-Interaction Programme on the Forest Rights Act, 2006

An Awareness Drive-cum-Interaction Programme with members of the tribal community, including FRC members, tribal leaders and activists, was held on 10th September 2026 at Kanidanjan, Doodganga Range, under the chairmanship of Shri Saurabh Sharma, IFS, CF, Srinagar Circle. The programme was attended by Shri Syed Wasim, JKFS, DFO Pir Panjal Forest Division, Budgam, and Range Officers of the Division.
The interaction focused on the fair and transparent implementation of the FRA, 2006, protection of the genuine rights of STs and OTFDs, and safeguarding forest areas from unauthorised encroachments. Stakeholders also interacted and shared their concerns regarding the recognition and settlement of forest rights, verification of claims, and the need for greater coordination among the Forest Department, District Administration and Gram Sabhas.
The CF, Srinagar Circle, directed that regular awareness programmes be conducted with FRC members and field staff, all pending FRA claims be compiled and monitored. He further directed to maintain close coordination with the District Administration and the nodal department for timely disposal of FRA claims.

08/09/2026

Van Suchna Kendra’s… J and K Forest Departments initiative for Public Outreach.

08/09/2026

*Awareness Drive-cum-Interaction on Forest Rights Act, 2006*
An Awareness Drive-cum-Interaction with members of the tribal community, including members of the Forest Rights Committees (FRCs) & tribal leaders and activists was held on 7th September, 2026 at the premises of Sindh Forest Division office, under the chairmanship of Shri Saurabh Sharma, IFS, CF, Srinagar Circle. The interaction was also attended by Shri Iqbal Rasool Dar, IFS, DFO* Sindh Forest Division, Smt. Sana Fayaz, IFS & Range Officers of the Sindh Forest Division.
During the interaction, the Forest Department reiterated its commitment to upholding the genuine rights of Scheduled Tribes and OTFDs under the FRA, while protecting forests and removing unauthorised encroachments. Stakeholders highlighted inadequate awareness, delays at SDLC/DLC levels, pendency of documents and CFR claims, and defunct/inactive FRCs, besides the need for district- and block-level awareness programmes.
The CF, Srinagar Circle, directed awareness drives for FRC members, FRC Chairpersons & Member-Secretaries, Forest Guards, Foresters, etc. alongwith compilation of all pending FRA claims at various levels like FRC, SDLC & DLC, for monitoring and follow-up. He also emphasised coordination with the district administration and FRA nodal department to expedite pending claims. The interaction reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to fair, transparent and coordinated implementation of the FRA, protection of genuine rights, and safeguarding of forest areas.

05/09/2026