Srinagar, Mar 31 (KNS) Jammu & Kashmir has yet to submit crucial data on forest encroachment, despite repeated reminders from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The delay raises concerns about the extent of forest land under encroachment in the region and the potential impact on conservation efforts.
According to data submitted by the Union Environment Ministry to the National Green Tribunal, the ministry has reported that encroachment has been removed from 409.77 square kilometers of forest land across India. However, ambiguity remains regarding whether this cleared land has been excluded from the total encroached forest area as of March 2024.
According to the ministry’s report, states such as Uttarakhand (49.92 sq km), Kerala (49.75 sq km), Tripura (42.42 sq km), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (37.42 sq km), and Manipur (32.7 sq km) have provided detailed data on forest encroachment. However, several states and Union Territories, including Jammu & Kashmir, have yet to submit their data on forest encroachment, despite repeated requests from the ministry.
The ministry had initially reached out to all states and UTs via letters sent on May 1, May 17, and May 28 last year, urging them to provide data on forest encroachment.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelFurther follow-ups were conducted through phone calls, and a meeting was held on November 11 to expedite the process. This year, additional reminder letters were sent on February 22 and March 26, emphasizing the need for states and UTs to furnish their data in a tabulated format.
Given the ecological sensitivity of J&K, timely and transparent reporting on encroachment is crucial for effective forest conservation. Environmentalists stress that non-submission of data may hinder policy decisions and conservation efforts aimed at preserving the region’s fragile ecosystem.
The ministry is expected to take further steps to ensure compliance from the remaining states and UTs, as accurate data is essential for assessing the scale of forest encroachment and implementing corrective measures. Meanwhile, the lack of information from J&K continues to leave a crucial gap in the national assessment of forest land encroachment. (KNS)