J&K needs a Timber Extraction and Import Policy

The recent engagement between the Kashmir Timber Association and the Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, has once again brought into focus the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms in Jammu and Kashmir’s timber sector. The sector, crucial for livelihoods, housing and traditional craftsmanship, continues to suffer from fragmented regulations, outdated infrastructure and a lack of clarity in import versus domestic extraction, transportation and supply strategies.

It is paradoxical that a region as rich in forest resources as Jammu & Kashmir continues to rely heavily on timber imports, often at high economic costs and lost livelihood opportunities. While forest conservation is non-negotiable, and the Supreme Court’s position on the matter is understandable, the over-cautious and inconsistent approach to local timber extraction has only created space for inefficiencies, black markets and dependency on imports that are often unsustainably sourced.

What J&K needs now is a transparent, ecologically balanced  and economically rational timber policy. The focus must shift towards sustainable extraction from local forests, using scientific forest management techniques and community-based conservation models. Forests can be both protected and productively used, as many successful models around the world show. J&K’s timber policy must be aligned with the principle of sustainable use, ensuring that the region’s own needs, especially in housing and small-scale industries, are met first before allowing large-scale imports.

Equally important is the urgent revival and modernization of the J&K State Forest Corporation. Once a robust public sector institution, it has lost relevance in its current form. With adequate investment in technology, governance reforms and business strategy, the Corporation can be turned into a key player in a sustainable and regulated timber economy. It must be made profitable, efficient and responsive to both conservation needs and market demands.

The government must now move beyond promises and initiate a participatory reform process. With the timber trade supporting thousands of families and contributing to the local economy, this is a sector too important to be left behind. A balanced, modern  and purpose-driven timber policy could be a model for sustainable development in Jammu & Kashmir.