In times when climate change and deforestation threaten global ecosystems, the recent report on Jammu & Kashmir’s phenomenal increase in forest cover is indeed refreshing.
Interval of four years, the region has introduced another 224.39 square kilometres of green, meaningfully contributing to India’s total forest cover increase of approximately 3,093.61 square kilometres in the period from 2019 to 2023.
Jammu and Kashmir’s increase in forest cover is a significant part of protecting the vulnerable Himalayan region.
With increased forest cover, many species, including endangered species such the Hangul deer, and the Snow Leopard, will continue to benefit and survive with increased green cover.
Furthermore, more wooded areas will help with managing soil erosion, improve the flow of rivers, and improve carbon capture as a weapon against global warming.
This transformation is a result of great policies from the government and conservation driven by communities.
Apps like the Green India Mission, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), and local afforestation efforts have played an instrumental role in rejuvenating degraded landscapes and implementing new forest creation.
Equally commendable is the involvement of local communities who, through their customary practice as custodians of heritage, were instrumental in making this work successful.
Jammu and Kashmir can be a more appealing destination now, already an appealing tourism venue, leveraging a greener J&K for appealing to those interested in the “natural” world. This will enhance local economies. Beneficially, greener forests are healthier air and water, and will make the people’s quality of life better.
This achievement exemplifies that it can be done and can also be an example to inspire action in other states. It reinforces that despite ecological degradation being widely assumed as irreversible, there is evidence to show that it is nearly always reversible with the right policy initiative, community participation, evidence-based data and actionable scientific planning.
While this achievement is laudable, the work does not end with one success. Continued focus and planning will be critical to maintain the improvements we have made, especially with threats such as illegal logging, urban sprawl, threats from a warming climate. .
If J&K’s green cover is to continue proliferating, continued work will be required in terms of improving and maintaining forest management systems, supporting agroforestry and providing funding rewards for conservation.
