THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Jan 19: A 2024-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) trainee, P Lava Kumar, has joined the Medininagar Forest Division in Palamu district of Jharkhand and has been posted as the Range Officer of the Chhatarpur East forest range, an official source said on Sunday.
Confirming the development, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Medininagar Forest Division Satyam Kumar, a 2015-batch IFS officer, told The Jharkhand Story Network that the IFS trainee would be in charge of the Chhatarpur East range for a period of three and a half months as part of his field training in forest administration and wildlife management.
Sensitive forest range under strict vigilance
Sources said the posting would provide the young officer with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in forest management, conservation enforcement, and protection of forest resources. The Chhatarpur forest range in Palamu is considered a sensitive area, where illegal stone mining and activities of stone mafias have surfaced intermittently in the past.
However, strict forest patrolling, anti-encroachment drives, and continuous vigil under the directives of the Medininagar DFO have helped curb and contain illegal activities in the forest range.
In March 2025, five forest personnel were attacked by stone mafias in the Chhatarpur area of Palamu, prompting strong administrative action. The firm handling of the incident by the Medininagar forest division sent a clear message that illegal mining, forest encroachment, and unlawful extraction of boulders, stones, and rocks would be dealt with stringently. The incident was later taken cognisance of by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Promising career in Indian Forest Service
P Lava Kumar secured his place in the Indian Forest Service in his second attempt by achieving an impressive 49th All India Rank, highlighting his strong academic performance and commitment to forest conservation and environmental governance.
