SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has 50 protected areas covering 4,861.282 square kilometres across all 20 districts, while its biodiversity includes 4,440 plant species, 111 mammal species and 608 bird species, officials informed a review meeting chaired by Forest Minister Altaf Ahmad Wani in Jammu.
The protected area network comprises four national parks, 14 wildlife sanctuaries, 16 conservation reserves and 16 wetland reserves. Eco-sensitive zones have also been notified for 10 protected areas, including Dachigam-Overa-Aru, Hirpora, Gulmarg, Kazinag, Kishtwar High Altitude National Park and Surinsar-Mansar.
The data presented during the review meeting of the Wildlife Protection Department and J&K Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) also showed that Jammu and Kashmir has more than 68 reptile species, 14 amphibian species, over 308 butterfly species and more than 100 fish species. Its bird population represents 44 per cent of India’s bird diversity.
The Union Territory is home to 10 rare and endangered species, including four critically endangered species identified in the presentation as Hangul, Kashmir Musk Deer, Markhor and Asiatic Ibex.
Wani directed the Wildlife Protection Department to undertake Hangul conservation on a mission-mode basis, with particular emphasis on scientific monitoring and habitat improvement.
“Hangul is found nowhere else in the world. It is our pride, our identity. We cannot afford to lose it,” he said.
Expressing concern over human-wildlife conflict, the Minister directed officials to strengthen rapid response mechanisms, ensure timely compensation to affected families and establish early warning systems in vulnerable areas. He also called for awareness camps in vulnerable villages in coordination with Panchayats.
“One human life lost is a tragedy for the family. Protecting human life must come first while also protecting wildlife. Both are possible if we respond on time,” he said.
The Minister also directed the department to compile a comprehensive document on Jammu and Kashmir’s wildlife, flora and fauna in consultation with experts to facilitate research and public access to biodiversity information.
Reviewing JKFRI’s functioning, Wani called for translating scientific research into practical benefits for forest conservation, farmers and local communities.
Officials informed the meeting that the institute has established two seed banks, in Jammu and Srinagar, to preserve seeds of forest tree species collected from seed production areas.
JKFRI has also developed cultivation protocols for six medicinal plants — Kuth, Tilpushpi, Mushkwala, Pushkarmul, Angur Shefa and Shinglimingli. The institute has inventoried and mapped medicinal plants in both Jammu and Kashmir regions and raised their germplasm in its nurseries.
The review also highlighted progress in the geo-tagging of prominent trees across the Union Territory. Around 30,000 Chinar trees have been geo-tagged and incorporated into a digital database.
QR-enabled metal plates have been installed on 10,000 prominent Chinar trees in Kashmir and 3,500 Peepal and Bargad trees in Jammu. The remaining Chinar, Bargad and Peepal trees will be covered in the second phase.
The Minister further stressed the involvement of concerned MLAs in district-level development works, saying their participation would improve transparency and implementation.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment, Sheetal Nanda; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Sarvesh Rai; Chairman, PCC, Vasu Yadav; Chief Wildlife Warden and JKFRI Director, Suneesh Buxy; regional wildlife wardens, divisional forest officers and other senior officials.
