Green Push Gains Ground: J&K Bets on Forests, Wetlands and Climate Planning
Economic Survey 2025–26 highlights restoration of Wular, geo-tagging of forest boundaries and livelihoods for 1,300+ families
Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is accelerating its environmental governance and climate-resilience efforts, with forests, wetlands and wildlife conservation emerging as key pillars of development, according to the Economic Survey 2025–26.
The Survey notes that the forest economy is increasingly being linked with rural livelihoods. Over the past three years, the Forest Department has registered 171 Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) depots, generating a trade value of Rs 12.05 crore and benefitting 1,355 families, while local Biodiversity Management Committees earned Rs 49.21 lakh in revenue.
Authorities have also launched a large-scale exercise to secure forest land. Against a target of three lakh boundary pillars, 2.54 lakh have been resurveyed and 1.75 lakh installed and geo-tagged using advanced GNSS technology to prevent encroachments and improve monitoring.
Urban ecology is another focus area. The government, under the Nagar Van Scheme, aims to establish urban forests across all 80 Urban Local Bodies in the Union Territory. So far, 43 towns have forest-managed green spaces, and 16 Nagar Vans have already been completed to provide pollution-free recreational areas.
Wetland restoration, particularly at Wular Lake, has shown measurable results. The Wular Conservation and Management Authority has restored around 5 square kilometres of critically silted area through dredging. A post-dredging survey at S.K. Payeen increased the lake’s water holding capacity by about 64 lakh cubic metres. Additionally, removal of 1.35 lakh willow trees under the Willow Action Plan has generated Rs 31.96 crore, with more trees under e-auction.
Wildlife protection plans are being updated with emphasis on scientific demarcation, species research and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict. The Survey also mentions bi-annual Hangul population assessments, biodiversity documentation and promotion of eco-tourism initiatives such as Hokersar Eco-Stop and Jambu Zoo to support fringe communities.
On the climate front, the UT has prepared a Draft State Action Plan on Climate Change and a Clean Air Programme through inter-departmental consultations. A complete ban on single-use plastic is being enforced, and in 2025-26 (till November 2025) authorities seized 25,294.98 kg of polythene and 2,071.30 kg of single-use plastic.
The Survey states that future priorities include assisted natural regeneration of degraded forests, reducing fuelwood dependence through alternative energy, biodiversity conservation with community participation and expansion of tree cover outside forest areas, signalling a shift toward development aligned with environmental sustainability in Jammu and Kashmir.
