Srinagar, Feb 9: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded an increase of 83.55 square kilometres in forest cover between 2021 and 2023, the Government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Replying to a question by MP Arun Kumar Sagar, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said J&K’s forest cover increased from 21,262.84 sq km in ISFR 2021 to 21,346.39 sq km in ISFR 2023, according to the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 prepared by the Forest Survey of India.
The Government said protection and management of forests primarily lie with State Governments and Union Territory administrations, which implement laws such as the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, along with local forest and tree preservation rules to curb illegal deforestation.
It said the Centre is supporting States and UTs through schemes including the Green India Mission, Nagar Van Yojana, CAMPA, MISHTI mangrove initiative, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, and forest fire prevention and management programmes to improve forest conservation and green cover.
The Ministry also highlighted the nationwide plantation drive “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam #Plant4Mother”, launched on World Environment Day 2024 and continued this year, aimed at mass participation in afforestation and environmental protection.
Forest and tree cover assessments are carried out biennially by the Forest Survey of India using satellite imagery and extensive ground verification, the Government said, adding that monitoring and review of forest protection activities are done through annual plans and utilisation reports submitted by States and UTs.