J&K Forest Minister boycotts own department’s event to protest demolitions in Jammu

Key points

• Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javed Ahmed Rana boycotted a function of the forest department which comes under him as a mark of protest against recent demolition of houses of nomadic communities — Gujjars and Bakarwals — in Jammu on May 19, 2026. Meanwhile, electricity and water supply cut by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) were “restored to the affected families” after the Minister’s intervention.
• Top government sources said Mr. Rana, the Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest & Tribal Affairs, was invited to chair the ‘International Day for Biological Diversity’ as chief guest at Srinagar’s Dachigam on Friday (May 22, 2026).
• However, the Minister decided against presiding the function.
• The event was attended by top officials from the Forest department, including Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary Forests, Ecology and Environment;
• Sarvesh Rai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) & Head of Forest Force J&K and Chairman J&K Biodiversity Council;