Kashmir lost 40.61 sq km of forest cover in last 2 years. It is a wakeup call!

By: Tanveer Ahmad Rather (Ph.D. Scholar, SKUAST Kashmir)

The laws of nature are stringent—if you violate them, even slightly, you will suffer the consequences. There is no mercy. However, nature’s laws are also designed to give us the opportunity to become obedient believers and responsible human beings. But if we continue to exploit nature recklessly, we will inevitably face disaster. Unfortunately, this is the path we seem to be following.

In the pursuit of development and modernization, humans often prioritize material gains and selfish interests over environmental well-being. This mindset has led to deforestation, pollution, climate change, and the depletion of natural resources—all in the name of progress. However, true development should harmonize with nature, ensuring sustainability and balance rather than exploiting it for short-term benefits. After all, nature is not just a resource to be used; it is a system we are inherently a part of. When we harm it, we ultimately harm ourselves.

It is heartbreaking to witness the continuous degradation of Kashmir’s environment, particularly the large-scale felling of trees in a region known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity. While developmental projects are essential for progress, protecting nature while building the future must remain a priority. As the revered Kashmiri saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (Nund Rishi) wisely said:

“Ann posh teli yeli wan posh”—Food will last as long as forests last.

Declining forest cover in Jammu & Kashmir

Kashmir has witnessed a significant decline in its forest cover. According to the latest Forest Survey of India (FSI) report, the region lost 40.61 square kilometers of forest cover in the last two years alone. The India State of Forest Report-2023 states that Jammu & Kashmir had 21,346.39 square kilometers of forest cover in 2023, down from 21,387 square kilometers in 2021.

A district-wise breakdown shows that:

• Anantnag had 1,077.04 sq. km of forest cover.

• Bandipora had 923.29 sq. km.

• Baramulla had 886.44 sq. km.

• Doda had 1,484.45 sq. km.

• Kishtwar had 1,787.96 sq. km.

In 2020, Jammu & Kashmir had 1.15 million hectares (Mha) of natural forest, covering 11% of its land area. However, by 2023, the region lost 112 hectares of natural forest, resulting in 68.8 kilotons of CO₂ emissions.

Between 2001 and 2023:

• 952 hectares of tree cover were lost due to forest fires.

• 3,230 hectares were lost due to other factors.

• Forest fires alone caused 22.7% of total tree cover loss.

• From November 2023 to June 2024, an alarming 4,156 forest fires were detected, averaging 17 fires per day.

The Impact of Developmental Projects

Over the past decade, Jammu & Kashmir has seen extensive deforestation due to infrastructure development. Reports indicate that 60-70% of cleared forest land was removed for construction projects, leading to a massive loss of tree cover. Some of the worst-affected areas include popular tourist destinations such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg, where politically connected individuals and influential figures have constructed hotels, restaurants, and even government buildings on forest land. Shockingly, some of these developments have been officially sanctioned. This practice must be banned, and unauthorized structures should be demolished to protect our forests and preserve the environment.

Gulmarg

• 727 hectares of forest land were diverted for 198 projects, leading to the felling of 1,847 trees, mainly for roads and military infrastructure in Gulmarg and the Pir Panjal region.

Jammu division

• The J&K State Forest Department has approved the felling of 21,483 trees for various projects.

• So far, 8,150 trees have been cut, and 13,332 more will be felled in a phased manner.

• Over 716 Kanals (36.25 hectares) of forest land in Jammu and Reasi districts have been diverted for the Jammu-Katra Expressway.

• The construction of the new J&K High Court complex in Raika-Bahu (the “Lungs of Jammu”) will result in the felling of 38,000 trees on 40 hectares of forest land.

Srinagar

• For the Srinagar Ring Road project, 1.10 lakh private trees, including Apple, Chinar, Walnut, and Mulberry, were cut down, amounting to a loss of Rs. 13.76 crore.

• Official data shows that 58 Chinar trees were felled in Pulwama and 17 in Anantnag over the past few years.

• The cutting of over 200 poplar trees near Amar Singh College sparked public outrage, with alumni and students calling it an act of vandalism.

Pahalgam

• The proposed JKPCC corridor in Pahalgam would require the felling of 700-800 conifer trees, severely impacting the area’s natural beauty and ecosystem.

Ganderbal

• The government sanctioned the use of 82.25 hectares of forest land in Sindh Forest Division for the 220 KV Srinagar-Leh transmission line by the Power Grid Corporation of India, leading to the felling of 700 trees with 122,000 cft of timber.

Pir Panjal region

• In 2015, a Forest Advisory Committee approved the felling of 40,035 trees for power transmission lines along Mughal Road.

• In 2021, contractors working on the Zojila Tunnel project cut down over 300 trees without seeking permission from the Forest Department.

Ujh Multipurpose Hydropower Project

• This national project, approved in 2008, requires the diversion of 4,350 hectares of land, including 680 hectares of forest land.

• The project will result in the felling of 214,502 trees.

Climate change: The looming crisis

Climate change is the greatest environmental emergency facing our planet today. It has profound implications for glaciers, rivers, forests, ecosystems, and human societies. The effects of climate change are already evident in Jammu & Kashmir:

• Erratic snowfall patterns and unusually warm winters have been recorded.

• January, traditionally known as “Chillai Kalan” (the harshest winter period in Kashmir), is experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures, signaling a shift in climate patterns.

• Rural mountain communities, particularly the poor, are among the most vulnerable to these changes.

The environmental degradation in Jammu & Kashmir cannot continue unchecked. It is imperative to strike a balance between development and environmental conservation. Unregulated deforestation, illegal land grabs, and reckless infrastructure projects must be halted. Authorities must enforce stricter environmental laws, ensure sustainable development practices, and prioritize afforestation and conservation efforts.

As responsible citizens, we must advocate for policies that protect our forests and hold authorities accountable for environmental mismanagement. The survival of future generations depends on the actions we take today. After all, nature does not belong to us—we belong to nature.