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| Strong laws needed for forest protection | | | It is very disappointing to learn that forest cover in a mountainous and negligibly industrialized state like Jammu and Kashmir is less than 20 per cent and declining. Figures are often technically and smartly inflated to show a large percentage of the total land mass in Jammu and Kashmir under forest cover. Ladakh is a vast and barren land, also known as cold desert of the Himalayas. If this entire region of Ladakh, which is not known for vegetation, is excluded from the total territorial area of Jammu and Kashmir then the forest cover comes to around 47 per cent. Forests are very important for man’s survival. Unfortunately, in this part of the world people seldom bother about greenery and forest cover. The merciless deforestation has severe consequences especially for those living in the remote areas of the state. The State has already lost more than 13 per cent of its forest area in the last four decades. Going by official figures, on an average, the State has lost 74.37 sq. km. of its forest area every year in the last 40 years. In a State where 48 per cent of the rural population is directly or indirectly dependent on forests, the economic consequences could not be long delayed. The forest wealth of the State includes trees like Deodhar, Blue Pine and Silver Fir. The rampant deforestation has severely affected the livelihood of poor households. Even in pre-1947 era, the abundant forest wealth was one of the main sources of revenue for the State. The state not only met its own needs but was also the main source of raw material of wood for northwestern India before Partition. It was also responsible for the spiralling growth of the industries mainly the sports and furniture established in 1920s. The Chenab flowing through the area was a vital means of transportation of timber from forests. But after 1947, high altitude areas of the segment, once a green zone, fell victim to ruthless deforestation and poor planning. Several remote hamlets are bereft of green cover. Checks devised by the authorities failed to prevent the illegal timber extraction in the remote areas. Irreparable damage was done and consequences are not hard to see. Uncontrolled deforestation of several decades in the upper reaches directly hits at the centuries-old livelihood of the Gujjars and Bakerwals. These are not the only one’s who have suffered enormously due to rampant deforestation the ruthless felling of trees has had a severe impact on Jammu and Kashmir’s environment also. And if it remains unchecked disastrous consequences cannot be ruled out. In the recently concluded session of the state legislative assembly, the Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmed told the floor that around 2000 cases of various forest violations have been registered over past ten years. This reflects an alarming number of crime and unscrupulous activities thriving on the forest areas. As government deals with militancy and does not give in to any criticism on harsh laws, there is an imminent need of bringing more stringent laws to protect the forest cover.
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