Jammu, Mar 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday stated that the timber extraction in the Union Territory is regulated and carried out only as per the Supreme Court’s 1996 ruling.
In response to a question raised by PDP legislator Mir Mohammad Fayaz the Minister in charge of Forest, Ecology & Environment Department, informed the Legislative Assembly that the government only permits the removal of dead, dry, and diseased trees through the J&K Forest Development Corporation (JKFDC) and as per the Supreme Court’s 1996 ruling.
The Minister also ruled out revoking its existing timber distribution policy, stating that the responsibility of timber extraction and sale was assigned to the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Development Corporation (JKFDC) in 2016 for better accountability and transparency.
He said that the territorial wing of the Forest Department was responsible for identifying and marking dead, dry, and diseased trees, which are then extracted by JKFDC following Supreme Court-mandated norms.
“No commercial felling of green trees is permitted, and hence, there is no question of any adverse environmental impact,” he said.
On the issue of illegal timber extraction and black marketing, the Minister, said, if any illegal timber extraction was reported, strict action in terms of lodging FIRs and departmental actions and even, in some cases, Public Safety Act PSAs have been invoked to curb timber smuggling.
To enhance transparency in timber distribution and curb black marketing, the Forest Development Corporation is in the process of developing an online portal to streamline supply and ensure hassle-free distribution.
The government further stated that a yearly action plan with fixed timelines is being prepared to ensure smooth coordination between the Forest Department and JKFDC. (KNO)
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