news details |
|
|
| Encroachment on forest land on increase in J&K | | | A recent report indicating that over 1860 kanals of forest land on the outskirts of Jammu city had been encroached on by the land grabbers may no longer be news,atleast in a state that had witnessed rapid degradation of its forests during the last 50 years.Even official reports indicate that within a span of some years till 2008 over 15900 hectares of forest land had been encroached upon.Rapid encroachmnt had resulted in the sharp decrease in the forest area in Jammu and Kashmir from over 24214 sq.kms to20230 sq kms between 2003 and 2007.In fact the forest land and wealth in Jammu and Kashmir had come under the threat of not only the land grabbers and timber smugglers but also of militants who carried out denudation of forest area at a faster rate than that of the land mafia.Well there area number of factors responsible for rapid deforestation and loss of forest cover in Jammu and Kashmir.Official reports say nearly 30 per cent of the forest land has
been lost to colonisers and to the agriculturists during the last 50 years.First,population explosion resulted in increase in search of land for raising new residential colonies.And forest areas close to the cities and towns were encroached upon by the colonisers and in this game of land grabbing political leaders,officials of the Forest Department and other agencies played their role in helping the vested interests in building houses and raising parks and lawns.Those who wish to have some proof need to be reminded that top political leaders and bureaucrats besides rich businessmen have constructed their palatial houses on the forest areas close to the cities and towns.Secondly,the demand for timber registered a phenomenal increase during the last over 30 years.Interested parties from outside the state were also in search of quality timber from Jammu and Kashmir.As the demand for timber increased the timber smugglers who had the patronage of the
official agencies openly violated rules regarding felling of trees.Under these rules dry and dead trees alone were to be felled but this law was defied by these timber smugglers when they carried out rapid deforestation by felling green trees.No doubt as far as cooking practices have undergone a major change in Jammu and Kashmir with the introduction of electric gadgets and LPG connections a large number of people in the state bank on fuel for not only preparing food but also for keeping themselves warm in winter months.Reports also indicate that loss to timber in blazes in Government depots is also a stage managed affair.Whatever may be the reasons for rapid deforestation and loss of forest land to non afforetation activities the state of Jammu and Kashmir has suffered severe loss by way of depletion in forest wealth and cover.The rate of loss of forest land and forest wealth has outstripped the rate of afforestation,land conservation and forest
development programme.It is quite unfortunate that on one side the state Government spends several crores of rupees on conservation and development of forest cover and wealth on the other the timber smugglers and land grabbers enjoy patronage from the very Government agencies in carrying out loot of forest wealth and land.If within a span of two to three years more than 1300 sq kms forest cover is degraded one can imagine the extent of sway land grabbers and timber smugglers enjoy in carrying out rapid deforestation in Jammu and Kashmir.Reports also indicate that since 1990-92 when additional companies of troops and paramilitary forces were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for tackling militancy related violence the security forces imitated local people in felling trees in forest areas for keeping themselves warm in winter months.In a number of places huge logs were set on fire by the security forces for preparing meals.Senior officers of various
security agencis learnt from local people the benefits of using timber for manufacturing furniture items and some of these items were transported to their homes outside the state in the very trucks that were used in carrying troops to the state.Hence the state Government should not make laws more stringent than they are at present but ensure that whatever rules were available were implemented strictly.Those found indulging in grabbing of forest land and smuggling of forest wealth need to be punished heavily.To lay an example those VIPs who had encroachd on forest land be forced to vacate it and if done others may give up their claim on forest areas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
