Over 1.06 Lakh Hectares of Degraded Forest Land Restored in Jammu Kashmir Under CAMPA Since 2010-11 | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has restored more than 1,06,023 hectares of degraded forest land and planted around 7.46 crore saplings under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) since 2010–11, officials informed at a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo.

The Chief Secretary reviewed ongoing afforestation and ecological restoration programmes and emphasised sustainable forest regeneration, scientific monitoring and strengthened protection of vulnerable forest areas. He directed the Forest Department to complete digitisation of forest maps and boundary pillars for improved demarcation and protection of forest land, and also called for linking contractor payments with plantation survival rates.

He further instructed the Finance Department to incorporate appropriate provisions in future tenders to ensure accountability and results-based implementation.

During the meeting, officials presented data showing a sharp decline in forest land diversion for non-forestry purposes after 2020, alongside a near doubling of the area covered under afforestation and ecological restoration initiatives in recent years.

Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Shailendra Kumar stressed the need to reconstruct missing forest records on the lines of the Revenue Department and advocated staggered payments linked to survival rates of plantations. Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Sheetal Nanda highlighted sustained plantation efforts and informed that a multi-layer monitoring mechanism has been put in place to ensure effective implementation on the ground.

Officials informed that since 2010–11, afforestation and ecological restoration measures—including assisted natural regeneration—have been carried out over 1,06,023 hectares across Jammu and Kashmir, while 746.65 lakh saplings have been planted in various forest divisions.

For the financial year 2025–26 alone, around 2,952 hectares were treated under CAMPA components. During the same period, 68.70 lakh saplings were raised in nurseries and maintenance of over 1.64 crore nursery saplings was undertaken.

The Forest Department also reported completion of over 12.65 lakh running feet of fencing, 19.32 lakh patch sowing and dibbling works, and 37,001 cubic metres of soil and moisture conservation activities. In addition, 108 water harvesting structures, 27 check dams and more than 14,940 boundary pillars were established.

CEO CAMPA KS Jayachandran noted that plantation activity has increased significantly since 2020, with annual figures consistently exceeding the 16-year average of 46.60 lakh saplings. Over 67 lakh saplings were planted in 2020–21, with elevated targets maintained in subsequent years.

The meeting was also informed that 374.78 lakh running feet of fencing and 1,47,623 boundary pillars have been installed across the Union Territory for forest protection and demarcation.

Concluding the review, the Chief Secretary called for improving plantation survival rates, strengthening monitoring systems and enhancing community participation to ensure long-term ecological sustainability in Jammu and Kashmir.