In 2 Months, JK Loses 727 Hectares Of Forest Land To ‘Development’

In two months, the J&K government has cleared infrastructure and other projects on 243 hectares of forest land, including in eco-fragile Gulmarg, which will lead to felling of nearly 2000 trees besides taking an incalculable toll on the environment.
According to reports, the Forest Advisory Committee of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir approved diversion of over 727 hectares of designated forest land between September 18 and October 21.
“It also approved the felling of at least 1,847 trees, which includes 1,471 trees inside designated forest areas and 376 trees in areas earmarked for social forestry. Moreover, it has approved felling of trees that will be submerged due to construction of the Pakuldul hydro-electricity project and other development projects – there is no count of the number of trees to be felled,” according to a report in thirdpole.net.
“Over 60% of the forest land diversion approvals are to build roads, and 33% – 243 hectares – for the use of the army and paramilitary forces in Pir Panjal or Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Kehmil, Jhelum Valley, Samba and Jammu Forest divisions, analysis of the official documents revealed,” the report said.
The report said 198 projects, most for road construction, were approved by the FAC in four meetings on September 18, October 3, October 17, and October 21.
In comparison, in last year, just 97 projects involving diversion of forest land were cleared, 101 less than those cleared in four meetings, the report said.
Officials in Jammu and Kashmir’s Forest Department said that all these decisions had to be taken within a few weeks because of the implementation of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act from October 31.
“This Act leads to the scrapping of the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Act, under which the FAC was formed, of the former state after the implementation of Reorganisation Act,” the report said.
When Kashmiris talk about the significance of forests, they refer to one of the most popular sayings of 15th century saint and poet Sheikh ul Alam: “Ann poshi teli yeli wan poshi”, meaning “food will last as long as forests last.”
“Kashmir’s evergreen coniferous forests and snow covered peaks have a direct bearing on the region’s agriculture, energy and tourism sectors. Its beautiful lakes, rivers, agricultural plains and meadows owe their existence and economic production to the forests,” the report said.
The effects of degradation of forests is already visible in drying up of perennial water sources at many places, accelerated soil erosion, flash floods, silting up of reservoirs, loss of biodiversity and reduced forest productivity. The armed conflict has made things even more difficult.