Brief :
State Forest Department came into existence in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1881 when J. C. Mc. Donald was appointed the first ever Conservator of Forests of the state. He started the process of consolidation and demarcation of forests. In 1923, H. L. Wright was appointed as the first Chief Conservator of Forests. Scientific forest management and reorganization of Forest Department took place during this period and all forests of the state were brought under the purview of working plans.

Contribution :
Prime contribution of natural forests is towards maintenance of ecological balance, conservation of bio-diversity, regulation of hydrological regime, promotion of soil and water conservation, climate regulation, carbon sequestration and nutrient recycling. Forests of the state are renowned the world over for their scenic charm and aesthetics. These also contribute directly or indirectly for sustaining agriculture, horticulture, animal and sheep husbandry, fisheries, water supply, power generation, industry, herbal medicines and tourism.

Forest Area:
Forest area of the state is 20,230 sq km which is about 10% of its geographical area. If Ladakh region is excluded which does not have significant expanse of natural forests, the proportion of natural forests in the state area increases to 47%. Per capita forests and tree cover in the state is about 0.15 ha which is almost double the national average of 0.07 ha. About 40% of the forest area is either dense or very dense and rest falls in the category of open forest. 60% of the total forest area falls in Jammu region and balance in Kashmir.

Value of Forest Resources:
Market value of growing stock is approximately Rs. 75,000 crores. “Down to Earth” issue of July 2005 estimates the net present environmental value of forests of Jammu and Kashmir at Rs.1,92,000 crores.

Timber and Firewood consumption:
Every year, about 50 % of timber and fuelwood requirements especially in rural areas are met by supplies from forests. Total timber and fuelwood consumption in the state are estimated at about 25 lakh cft and 400 lakh quintals respectively every year.

Livestock and Fodder:
Forests provide grazing to a sizable livestock population of the state. Pastoral tribes of Gujjars ans Bakerwals traditionally use forest lands for grasing of their animals. About 25% of the total annual requirement of 100 lakh tonnes of fodder in the state is met by forests.

Resource Allocation:
Forest Department is allocated plan and non-plan funds by the State Government for development, improvement and maintenance of forests. Besides projects under a number of schemes financed by Government of India (GOI) are also being implemented by the department. Important GOI schemes include National Afforestation Programme, and Eco-restoration of Degraded Catchments under the PM’s Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir. Proposed outlay for 11th Five Year Plan is Rs. 114.88 crores which does not match the quantum of goods and ecosystem services provided by forests. The state plan is supplemented by allocation under additional central assistance (ACA), 12th Finance Commission Award and PM’s Development Package of the Central Government. Notification for operationalization of Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has been issued recently (11th November 2009) to utilize funds received on account of diversion of forest lands.

People's Participation :
Jammu and Kashmir State is giving highest priority for enrolling the participation of village communities in protection and management of forests. All important activities of Forest Department including execution of major State and Central Government schemes are being implemented through a participatory approach centering around Joint Forest management Committees (JFMCs).

Militancy Related Losses in Forest Sector:
79 forest officials including one Conservator of Forests lost their lives while on duty. 135 forest buildings were gutted. 47 lakh cft of timber worth Rs. 41 crores was gutted. Interior forest areas suffered damages for being remained unattended.

Afforestation By Forest Department :

Forest Organisation :

Growing Stock – Specie-wise:

Some Medicinal Plants of J&K:

Recent Initiatives of Forest Department:

To encourage planting of trees on non-forest lands, transit rules have been rationalized for many important tree species traditionally grown by farmers.
To conserve valuable biodiversity, restrictions have been imposed on extraction of some important medicinal plants of forest origin for 5 years.
Resin production is gradually being reduced by 20% every year to rejuvenate chir forests of the state.
To ensure better health and conservation of forests, charcoal manufacture within forests has been discontinued.
Drive against encroachments, forest damages and illegal saw mills continues. About 2,400 ha of forest land has been cleared of encroachments, and more than 600 vehicles have been seized.