In J&K, 577.30 hectares of forest land diverted for non-forestry in 4 years: GOI

In J&K, 577.30 hectares of forest land diverted for non-forestry in 4 years: GOI

Compensatory reforestation carried out on 6,064 hectares of forest land

SRINAGAR: In four years, 577.30 hectares of forest land in Jammu and Kashmir has been converted for non-forestry purposes.
Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh made this known in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
The Minister informed that the proposal received from all states and union territories for development activities within national parks, sanctuaries, tiger reserves, tiger corridors and those activities requiring environmental clearance within eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) around national parks and sanctuaries are forwarded by state governments for consideration by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL). The proposals are forwarded after due scrutiny by the state government and recommendations of the State Board for Wild Life.
In addition, the government has taken a number of steps to protect and conserve wildlife and endangered species of flora and fauna. These include providing financial assistance to States/UTs for the recovery programme of critically endangered species under the component of Recovery Programme for Saving Critically Endangered Species and Habitats under CSS—‘Wildlife Habitats Development’. A total of 22 critically endangered species have been identified under this programme.
As per the information furnished by the Minister, 55 proposals were received from Jammu and Kashmir following which 577.30 hectares of forest land in the Union Territory was diverted for non-forestry purposes under Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
While on the other hand, compensatory reforestation in Jammu and Kashmir during the year 2019-20 was done on 962 hectares of forest land. During the year 2020-21, compensatory reforestation was done on 3110.92 hectares of forest land in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister informed.
During the year 2021-22, compensatory afforestation was carried out on 704 hectares of forest land in Jammu and Kashmir. During the year 2022-23, compensatory afforestation was carried out on 1,288 hectares of forest land in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.