SRINAGAR: Damage to green saplings of Deodar and Pine was reported in August 2026 at Hajibal on land under the possession and control of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, with the matter subsequently referred to the Revenue Department for action under the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969.
The Forest Department said the affected patch lies outside the demarcated boundary of the Reserve Forest and, therefore, does not fall within its jurisdiction under provisions applicable to demarcated forests.
The matter was disclosed in a written reply to Unstarred D. No. 1/6/585 tabled by Wagoora-Kreeri MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
According to the reply, field verification found damage to green saplings of specified tree species, including Deodar and Pine, at Hajibal in August.
The department said Deodar and other notified Pine species are specified trees under the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969, as notified through SRO-100 dated March 15, 1985.
Under Section 13 of the Act, read with SRO-404 dated September 12,1981, the prescribed authority for dealing with such contraventions is the concerned Deputy Commissioner.
Accordingly, the Forest Department referred the matter to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Tangmarg, for taking cognisance and initiating appropriate action under the applicable law. The case is presently with the Revenue Department.
The Revenue Department, in Office Memorandum No. REV-Adm/224/2026 dated September 18, 2026, informed the Forest Department that, according to the Special Officer Auqaf, verification had established that the site was a notified Waqf property and lay outside notified protected forest land.
The Revenue Department also reported that the growth allegedly cut at the site was regenerated bush-type growth and said such cases are dealt with under the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969.
The Forest Department said further action would accordingly be taken by the competent authority under the applicable legal provisions.
