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| 2.5 lakh kanals of forest land under illegal occupation in J&K | | | Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 22: About 2.5 lakh kanals of forest land is under the illegal occupation of the land mafia across J&K, but the government lacks both the will and determination to retrieve it.
The recorded forest area of the state is 20,230 km. About 59 pc of the geographical area of the state is under permanent snow cover and glaciers and is unable to support tree growth. Forests of Jammu and Kashmir exhibit remarkable diversity ranging from subtropical to temperate to alpine because of the distinctive geo-climatic conditions prevalent in the state. As per the official records, half of the forests are open without any demarcation. "Around 2,40,580 kanals of forest land is under illegal occupation. Of this land, 68,080 kanals fall in Kashmir and around 1,72,500 kanals in Jammu region," the records say. The encroachment of forest lands is a serious issue which is becoming more serious with every passing day.
The past few decades have witnessed exponential increase in human and livestock population, rapid industrialization and a spurt in developmental activities which have resulted in loss of forest area accompanied by an overall degradation of forest vegetation and forest soils, a forest policy document says and adds that exploitation of forests beyond their sustainable capability has resulted in their degradation, and thereby severe impairment of their ability to provide environmental benefits.
For effective protection of forest land, the forest policy says that land records of revenue department will be reconciled with demarcation record of forest department in a time bound manner, starting with highly vulnerable areas. "Existing boundary pillars will be strengthened and their locations will be recorded, using global positioning system and other modern technologies," it says. Official sources, however, said no efforts had been made in this regard and demarcation of forest land was yet to be done. Official sources said in 1947, the total forest area in J&K was 26,900 sq km which had now reduced to less than 18,000 sq km. The shrinking of forests is believed to be the main reason for increasing in man-animal conflict as cutting down of trees has ruined the latter's habitat forcing them to venture into residential areas. Official data reveals that in 2014-2015, 17 persons died and 244 were injured in wild animal attacks on humans in the state. Similarly, 24 persons died and 300 were injured in 2015-2016 in such attacks. Minister of State for forests, Zahoor Ahmed Mir said the government had initiated the demarcatiom from encroachers. "It is a huge project but we have started demarcation. This policy costs crores of rupees but the state government does not have funds yet." |
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