J&K spent Rs 679 crore on afforestation efforts in five years

New Delhi, Dec 13: Jammu and Kashmir has implemented the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, to recognise and formalise the rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers
The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh revealed that 6,020 titles have been distributed across the region, including 429 individual rights and 5,591 community rights. In the Jammu region, Rajouri district recorded the highest number of rights with 2,852 titles, followed by Poonch with 1,902 titles, he said.
Udhampur, Kathua and Ramban had smaller numbers, with 14, 42, and 10 titles respectively. Samba and Jammu had no individual titles but recognised community rights. In the Kashmir region, Anantnag led with 325 titles, followed by Shopian with 220 and Budgam with 181. Srinagar had no titles distributed, the minister said.
He said the government has also carried out plantation activities under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) over the past five years, spending Rs 679.58 crore to treat over 508 square kilometres of forest land.
Species like Deodar, Kail, Fir, Bamboo, and Alnus were planted to enhance forest cover, Singh said, adding that the total expenditure was Rs 679.58 crore, covering 508.54 square kilometres, with Rs 177.43 crore spent in 2022-23, the highest in the five years. (KNO)