Srinagar, Feb 19: The government on Thursday informed the House that around 1.35 lakh willow trees have been removed in and around Wular Lake as part of a phased restoration plan. At the same time, more than 19 lakh plants have been raised in the catchment area to offset the ecological impact.
Replying to a query by MLA Irshad Rasool Kar, the Minister in-charge said that 1.91 lakh willow trees were identified for removal in the first phase under the Comprehensive Management Action Plan for Wular Lake. Of these, nearly 1.35 lakh have already been felled.
The government clarified that the plan does not call for blanket removal. Instead, it involves selective and need-based cutting in line with ecological objectives. The total number of willow trees in and around the lake is estimated between 19 and 21 lakh, with removals being carried out in a phased and strategic manner based on management requirements.
The Minister also stated that the tree removal has so far generated approximately Rs 31.95 crore in revenue, which has been deposited under government receipts as per financial rules.
On compensatory measures, the House was informed that since the establishment of the Wular Conservation and Management Authority in 2012, over 19 lakh plants have been raised in the Wular catchment.
In the Bandipora catchment alone, more than 2,900 hectares have been treated through afforestation, plantation and soil conservation works aimed at stabilising slopes, controlling erosion and reducing sediment flow into the lake as part of the broader restoration effort.
