Jammu: Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Tuesday called for collective and sustained efforts to protect forests across Jammu and Kashmir, saying they are vital for sustaining life, preserving biodiversity and securing the future.
He was speaking as chief guest at a function held at the FRMC Building, Narwal, to mark the International Day of Forests.
Commissioner Secretary Forests Sheetal Nanda, PCCF Sarvesh Rai, Chairman PCC Vasu Yadav, senior officers of the Forest Department, awardees and trainees were present on the occasion.
Highlighting the ecological importance of forests, the Minister said Jammu and Kashmir possesses rich and diverse forest resources that play a crucial role in climate regulation, water conservation, soil protection and biodiversity preservation.
He stressed the need to strengthen community-led conservation and biodiversity management, while maintaining harmony with nature alongside sustainable development. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting natural resources through scientific research, inter-departmental coordination and community-based initiatives.
Drawing attention to the role of forests in regulating the water cycle, Rana said forests act as natural reservoirs and filters, ensuring clean water, sustaining rivers and groundwater, and supporting food security. He urged greater public participation in safeguarding these ecosystems.
Referring to ongoing initiatives, the Minister said that under the Green J&K Drive, more than 78 lakh saplings have been planted during the current financial year, covering thousands of hectares, while a target of one crore saplings has been set for the coming year.
He also highlighted efforts to promote eco-tourism through the development of eco-parks, trekking routes and forest infrastructure to generate livelihood opportunities while ensuring conservation.
The Minister said J&K has a recorded forest cover of over 20,194 square kilometres, accounting for nearly 48 percent of its geographical area, and expressed satisfaction over the increase in forest cover over the past decade. He reaffirmed the Omar Abdullah-led government’s resolve to further expand green cover through large-scale afforestation drives.
Highlighting welfare measures, Rana said the department has supported local communities by providing timber and forest produce in a sustainable manner. He said that during the current year, 9.09 lakh cubic feet of timber was sanctioned to 7,149 beneficiaries, while 95,655 quintals of firewood and 2.77 lakh quintals of green fodder were distributed among thousands of beneficiaries across J&K.
He also referred to the implementation of national programmes such as the National Forest Policy, Green India Mission and Nagar Van Yojana, which aim to restore degraded landscapes and enhance green cover through active public participation.
While acknowledging progress, the Minister said challenges such as forest degradation, encroachments and climate change need to be addressed through coordinated and sustained efforts. He reiterated that forest conservation is a shared responsibility requiring stronger collaboration among government departments, civil society and local communities.
On the occasion, Rana also congratulated the UT-level Forestry Award winners for their contribution to conservation and lauded the trainees passing out from Forest Training Institutes, describing them as the backbone of forest protection efforts.