Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Mar 14: There is a stark contrast in forest distribution in Jammu and Kashmir, Doda has the highest green cover while Srinagar has the least.
According to the 2023-24 report, Doda district has 5,555 sq. km of forest cover, accounting for 27.51% of J&K’s total land under forest. The district’s forest area makes up 47.52% of its total geographical area, making it the most heavily forested district in terms of absolute land coverage.
In contrast, Srinagar has the lowest forest area, covering just 380 sq. km, which is only 1.88% of the total forest area in J&K. With forests spanning just 17.06% of its total geographical area, Srinagar stands far behind other districts in green cover.
Other districts with substantial forest areas include Baramulla (2,690 sq. km), Udhampur (2,343 sq. km), and Kupwara (1,703 sq. km). Kupwara also has the highest percentage of its land under forest cover at 71.58%, reveals the report.
The data underscores the uneven distribution of forests in J&K, with districts like Doda, Baramulla, and Kupwara holding significant forest resources, while urbanized districts such as Srinagar and Budgam have minimal forest land.
