In a significant update shared in the Legislative Assembly, the Jammu and Kashmir government revealed that nearly 1.35 lakh willow trees have been removed in and around Wular Lake as part of a phased ecological restoration initiative. At the same time, officials confirmed that over 19 lakh saplings have been raised in the catchment area to compensate for the environmental impact and strengthen long-term conservation efforts.
Responding to a question raised by MLA Irshad Rasool Kar, the minister-in-charge stated that during the first phase of the Comprehensive Management Action Plan for Wular Lake, approximately 1.91 lakh willow trees were identified for removal, with about 1.35 lakh already cleared so far.
However, the government made it clear that this exercise should not be misunderstood as deforestation. According to officials, the objective is habitat management and ecological restoration, aimed at reviving Wular Lake’s natural wetland character. Authorities emphasized that the plan does not involve blanket cutting but instead follows a selective, strategic, and need-based removal process aligned with scientific and environmental guidelines.
The minister further informed the House that the total estimated willow population in and around Wular Lake ranges between 19 to 21 lakh trees. The removal process is being carried out carefully and in phases, based on management priorities and ecological requirements.
Financially, the initiative has also generated revenue. The government disclosed that approximately Rs 31.95 crore has been earned from the tree removal process, and the amount has been deposited under official government receipts in accordance with established financial rules.
On the conservation front, officials highlighted that since the establishment of the Wular Conservation and Management Authority in 2012, over 19 lakh plants have been raised in the catchment area as part of compensatory and restorative measures.
In the Bandipora catchment region alone, more than 2,900 hectares of land have undergone treatment through afforestation drives, plantation efforts, soil conservation measures, slope stabilization work, and erosion control initiatives. These efforts are designed to reduce sediment flow into the lake and improve its long-term ecological health.
A Bigger Picture for the Future
Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, plays a crucial role in flood control, biodiversity support, and sustaining livelihoods in the region. While the removal of such a large number of trees may raise concerns, authorities insist that the long-term vision is to restore the lake’s original wetland ecosystem, improve water flow, and protect biodiversity.
For local communities, environmentalists, and policymakers alike, the focus now shifts to ensuring transparency, scientific monitoring, and sustained restoration so that Wular Lake can continue to support both nature and people for generations to come.
