Silk sector sees revival in J&K, but mulberry tree felling sparks alarm

Srinagar, Jul 29: Jammu and Kashmir’s centuries-old sericulture industry is witnessing a promising revival, with steady growth in cocoon and raw silk production over the past three years. However, this progress is being threatened by the illegal felling of mulberry trees — the very lifeline of silk production.

On Monday, at least 12 fully grown mulberry trees were illegally cut down in Sedow village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, in violation of a standing ban. The incident prompted swift action from the Directorate of Sericulture, with Director Aijaz Ahmad Bhat suspending two employees — the area in-charge and the beat watcher.

“This is an enormous loss to government assets and poses a direct threat to the livelihood of silkworm rearers,” Bhat said.

Mulberry leaves are the sole food source for silkworms, and any disruption in their supply risks undermining cocoon yield — a major setback for an industry slowly regaining momentum.

Official data underscores the sector’s recovery: cocoon production reached 8.5 lakh kilograms in 2024–25, an 18% increase from the previous year. Raw silk output has risen from 1 lakh kilograms in 2022–23 to 1.21 lakh kilograms in the current fiscal.

“J&K’s sericulture sector is bouncing back after years of stagnation, but such acts of tree cutting threaten to undo all the hard-earned progress,” said an official. In 2022–23, cocoon production stood at 6.99 lakh kilograms. It rose to 8.22 lakh kilograms in 2023–24 before hitting the current record high. Raw silk production has also followed a consistent upward trend.

For thousands of farmers who rely on seasonal cocoon harvesting, the unchecked destruction of mulberry plantations is a source of anxiety. “These trees take years to grow. If they’re cut down like this, what will our silkworms eat?” asked a farmer in Shopian.

Under the Mulberry Protection Act, 2006, felling, lopping, pruning, or even plucking mulberry leaves (except for rearing purposes) is strictly prohibited. “Strict action will be taken against those involved in such violations,” Director Bhat warned.

Jammu and Kashmir is home to an estimated 55 lakh mulberry trees spread across 2,000 acres, comprising over 320 units, including farms, nurseries, and plantations

The Department of Sericulture, under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), is targeting the plantation of 10 lakh additional mulberry trees. “Out of this, around 5 to 6 lakh saplings have already been distributed to farmers and planted,” Bhat said.