SRINAGAR: The Directorate of Sericulture Development Department Jammu Kashmir has withheld permission for the removal of 62 mulberry trees along the proposed widening and upgradation of Bund Road (Canal Avenue Road) from Mouchu Bridge to Rawalpora Bridge Srinagar, citing public interest and growing concerns from stakeholders.
The decision was issued through Order No. 04/DS/JK/TECH/2026 dated April 13, 2026, putting on hold an earlier approval granted for the felling of the trees through a standing auction under supervised conditions.
The matter dates back to November 26, 2025, when the R and B Division Rajbagh sought permission to remove 92 mulberry trees falling along the proposed road alignment to facilitate construction works. The Sericulture Directorate subsequently initiated a review, emphasizing the ecological and economic importance of mulberry trees to the sericulture sector.
Following further requests from the R and B Division for early clearance, the Directorate tasked the Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department Kashmir, with conducting a detailed assessment. Based on field verification, local feedback, and inputs citing urgency from the concerned MLA, a recommendation was made to allow the removal of 62 trees instead of 92.
Acting on these recommendations, the Directorate had earlier granted permission on March 20, 2026, for the supervised felling of the reduced number of trees. However, the move triggered protests and representations from local residents and stakeholders, particularly those linked to the sericulture sector, who raised concerns over the potential impact on livelihoods and environmental balance.
“In light of the circumstances and in the larger public interest,” the Directorate has now ordered that the previously granted permission/NOC be withheld with immediate effect, pending further review.
The order has been circulated to the Additional Director SDD Kashmir, Executive Engineer R and B Division Rajbagh, District Sericulture Officer Budgam, and all concerned committee members for necessary action.
