SRINAGAR: The Forest Department of Jammu and Kashmir has planted over 4.9 crore saplings in the last three years as part of the Green Jammu Kashmir Drive, a major initiative aimed at enhancing carbon sequestration, restoring degraded forest areas, and strengthening the region’s ecological balance.
Official records show that in 2022–23, 13,564 hectares of forest were treated with approximately 1.61 crore saplings planted. In 2023–24, 13,006 hectares were treated and about 1.80 crore saplings planted. In 2024–25, the department treated 7,852 hectares and planted around 1.50 crore saplings, reflecting a continued emphasis on dense plantation and habitat restoration.
Authorities said the drive is part of a broader strategy to mitigate climate change impacts, improve biodiversity, and maintain forest health. It is being implemented through departmental budgets, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and other approved conservation funding mechanisms to ensure sustained and systematic afforestation.
Officials also highlighted the socio-economic dimension of the program, noting that plantation and forest management activities provide livelihood opportunities for local communities through nursery development and maintenance programs.
The Green Jammu Kashmir Drive complements other environmental initiatives in the Union Territory, including wildlife protection, wetland conservation, and sustainable forestry practices. Together, these measures aim to enhance ecological resilience, improve biodiversity, and reduce soil erosion across Jammu and Kashmir.
