*Strict monitoring preventing encroachment of green area
6023 trees felled, 13.91 lakh saplings planted
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Jan 31: The Ladakh, a cold arid desert of trans-Himalayan region, has not witnessed any significant loss of trees since 2000 except for some forest areas diverted under the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for carrying out developmental activities. Moreover, strict monitoring and enforcement measures have been implemented to prevent illegal logging and encroachment and these measures have yielded remarkable results.
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This has been conveyed by the administration of the Union Territory to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had sought report with regard to loss of trees, status of forest as on date, factor responsible for loss, if any, and action taken for conservation and management of forest.
Mentioning that no significant loss of trees has been reported in Ladakh since 2000 except for some forest areas diverted under the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act- 1980, the administration has informed the green panel that 30 trees were felled in the year 2024 as forest land was diverted in favour of Department of Irrigation for some developmental work. Against this, a total of 300 saplings were planted to compensate the loss.
Similarly, 415 trees had to be axed for construction of re-alignment of various stretches between Pandrass-Pashkum on Zojila-Kargil-Leh National Highway. However, 3750 saplings were planted. Likewise, 5578 trees were felled for widening/up-gradation of Kargil-Zanskar Road and against these 3000 saplings were planted.
Further mentioning that over the years millions of saplings have been planted and nurtured in Union Territory of Ladakh as part of targeted campaigns under different schemes, the administration has informed the NGT that a total of 13,91,863 saplings were planted since 2019-2020 covering an area of 500 hectares.
In the year 2019-20, 1,98,021 saplings were planted while as 1,56,740 saplings were planted in the year 2020-21 and 1,21,430 in the year 2021-22. During the past three years highest ever plants were planted as part of extensive green cover expansion drive. In the year 2022-23, 2,75,684 samplings were planted while as in 2024-25 the number increased to 3,75,673.
“As part of sustainable agro-forestry practices, integration of trees into agriculture land has been undertaken leading to an increase in tree density partially while also supporting local livelihoods”, the administration said, adding “as far as protection of existing forests is concerned, strict monitoring and enforcement measures have been implemented to prevent illegal logging and encroachment and these measures have yielded remarkable results”.
As per the report, Forest Department of Union Territory of Ladakh is looking after 157 Revenue Baghs spread over 424 hectares while as 297 afforestation and plantation units have been raised on 2559 hectares of revenue land in the possession of Forest Department. Moreover, there are 47 units of unclassified natural forest spread over 22255 hectares of land having natural vegetation.
Further, plantation has been raised on 548 units covering an area of 619 hectares by Forest Department of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The Revenue Gardens in Ladakh were transferred to Forest Department in the year 1962, which are now deemed to be Reserved Forests as on date as per the Ministry of Home Affairs (Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs the UT of Ladakh Reorganization (Adaptation of Central Laws) Order-2020.
It is pertinent to mention here that Ladakh is a cold arid desert of trans-Himalayan region with most of areas situated tree line altitude with extreme and harsh climatic conditions, minimal precipitation which doesn’t support natural forests, having limited vegetation and no density of trees in either urban or rural areas. Due to-its unique geographical on the rain shadow side of the Himalayas, the region supports very few as Willow, Poplar and Juniper which survive and grow sporadically in riparian habitats only.
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