WUCMA steps up Wular Lake restoration, generates Rs 25 Cr from willow removal drive

The Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) has generated over Rs 25 crore in revenue from the ongoing extraction of willow trees, even as the authority says focus remains on eco-tourism development and the ecological restoration of Wular Lake.

Chief Executive Director of WUCMA and Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir, Irfan Rasool Wani, said while the timber extraction has been financially significant, the core mandate remains strictly environmental.

“So far, we have generated more than Rs 25 crore in revenue from willows, but revenue generation is not our main objective. Our main objective is the restoration of the lake,” Wani stated.

“Willows create a hindrance to water hydrology and must be removed. As compensation, we are conducting extensive plantations in the Erin and Madhumati catchments,” surrounding the lake, he added.

Outlining the conservation roadmap for the wetland this year, Wani noted the pressing need is to address critically silted zones.

“We have already restored an area of five square kilometres. We are now drafting new Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) with a focus on restoring an additional two to three square kilometres in the coming years,” he added.

Moving forward this year, WUCMA officials said, is targeting infrastructure development to promote responsible tourism.

During a tour of the lake’s periphery to inspect ground realities, Wani reviewed ongoing construction at eco-tourism parks in Banyari, SK Payeen, and Garoora, alongside walkway projects currently being executed by the R&B department in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

“Our tenders are in place, and our effort is to complete all these eco-tourism parks and walkways this year,” Wani said.

Accompanied by WUCMA Coordinator Altaf Ahmad Dentoo, Superintending Engineer Fida Hussain Rizvi, and Assistant Executive Engineer Mohsin Hussain Khan. Wani directed all executing agencies to ensure timely completion without compromising on quality or ecological sensitivity.