The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir finds itself at a critical juncture in its environmental governance, grappling with an unfulfilled mandate to create a land bank of suitable non-forest land for compensatory afforestation. Despite clear directives under the Forest Conservation Act, of 1980, and subsequent guidelines from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, tangible progress remains elusive. This inaction underscores not just administrative inertia but also a worrying disregard for ecological priorities. Compensatory afforestation is a cornerstone of sustainable development, designed to offset the ecological losses incurred when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes. Creating a land bank-comprising revenue land, wastelands, and other suitable areas-is central to this process. Yet, Jammu and Kashmir has failed to operationalise this essential mechanism, even after the constitution of multiple committees and the passage of more than six months since explicit Government directives were issued.
The repercussions of this delay are profound. Without a designated land bank, compensatory afforestation efforts risk being superficial, with afforestation projects often constrained by unsuitable or pre-vegetated land. Such practices undermine the very purpose of the initiative, failing to replace lost green cover effectively or mitigate environmental degradation. The formation of committees was a step in the right direction. However, the lack of substantive outcomes from these panels reflects deeper systemic issues. Bureaucratic delays, inadequate coordination among departments, and a lack of accountability have stymied progress. Despite the mandate to submit monthly progress reports, the committees have not delivered the requisite groundwork to identify, evaluate, and earmark suitable parcels of non-forest land.
The potential areas identified for the land bank-including revenue land, wastelands, and regions within wildlife corridors or eco-sensitive zones-hold immense promise for fostering ecological connectivity and supporting biodiversity. Moreover, integrating such data with platforms like Gati Shakti can facilitate strategic planning and ensure seamless collaboration among user agencies. Yet, these opportunities remain unutilised. This persistent inaction sends a troubling signal about the prioritisation of environmental sustainability in policymaking. Forests in Jammu and Kashmir are not merely natural assets; they are lifelines, integral to the region’s water security, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Delays in establishing a land bank jeopardise these ecological services and hinder compliance with national environmental mandates.
The Government must act decisively to break this cycle of inertia. The committees must adhere to strict timelines and provide detailed monthly updates on their progress. Moreover, inter-departmental coordination must be enhanced, particularly between the Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department and the Revenue Department, to streamline the identification and transfer of suitable land parcels. Lastly, a clear political commitment to ecological stewardship is imperative. Without it, the ambitious goals of compensatory afforestation risk remain on paper, with the region’s forests continuing to bear the brunt of developmental pressures. A much more focused approach is required at the moment. The path forward demands urgency and resolve. Jammu and Kashmir’s ecological and economic future hinges on a balanced approach to development, one where environmental sustainability is not an afterthought but a foundational principle.
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