From concrete to canopy: A green oasis worth emulating

Bhushan Parimoo

After many summers, I inadvertently stumbled upon a small yet remarkable forest nursery—an oasis amid the concrete jungle. Located within Van Sadan, the official winter residence of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu and Kashmir, at Talab Tillo, Jammu, this green haven stands as a shining example of environmental commitment.

Under the stewardship of Shri Sarvesh Rai, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Environment and Climate Change, the nursery has expanded from a modest patch into a thriving green sanctuary. A portion of the official premises was transformed into a nursery, sacrificing personal comfort for a larger environmental cause.

Spread over nearly eight kanals within a 12-kanal campus, the nursery began modestly in 2004-05 with a few nursery beds developed despite scarce resources. Today, it has evolved into a full-fledged nursery with nearly 56 beds and a capacity to raise around 1.2 lakh saplings annually. It nurtures a rich diversity of forest species, ornamental plants, medicinal herbs and trees of religious significance.

Such localized forest nurseries play a crucial role in reforestation, urban greening, agro-forestry and biodiversity conservation. They provide healthy native planting material, reduce transportation costs and strengthen ecological resilience. Forests continue to sustain rural livelihoods while fulfilling the environmental needs of growing urban centres by providing food, fuel, employment and ecological security.

Forest conservation is as old as human civilisation itself. Since the dawn of mankind, forests have been indispensable for shelter, sustenance and survival. Ancient Indian scriptures treated nature as sacred and laid down principles for sustainable use of natural resources.

The Atharva Veda advocates that whatever is taken from the Earth must regenerate quickly. The Rigveda reveres trees as protectors of life, while Kautilya’s Arthashastra advised rulers to establish protected forests and wildlife sanctuaries. Emperor Ashoka translated these principles into practice by planting trees and medicinal herbs along highways. Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh also promoted scientific forestry by consulting French botanist Victor Jacquemont on preventing soil erosion along the Ravi River. The Dogra rulers too contributed significantly towards preserving forests.

Before British rule, forests were largely protected through community traditions, sacred groves and customary laws. Colonial forest policies, however, prioritised commercial exploitation over conservation and weakened indigenous forest management systems.

Unfortunately, the post-Independence period has witnessed extensive degradation of Jammu and Kashmir’s forests. Illegal felling, encroachments, timber smuggling, over-exploitation of Khair forests, soil erosion and recurring forest fires have severely damaged the fragile ecosystem. Vast forest tracts continue to be diverted for roads, infrastructure and other developmental projects, putting immense pressure on biodiversity.

There was a time when Jammu and Kashmir exported nearly 1.25 crore cubic feet of timber annually. Today, the region imports timber, reflecting the alarming depletion of its forest wealth. Even trees outside demarcated forests have drastically declined, and in several places the Forest Department itself provides timber for funeral pyres due to scarcity.

The Forest Department and the Social Forestry Department together operate hundreds of nurseries producing nearly two crore saplings annually. However, a substantial portion of these saplings is procured by government agencies, security forces and local bodies, while only a small fraction reaches NGOs, religious organisations and ordinary citizens. Greater public participation in plantation drives is essential to improve survival rates and create a sense of ownership.

Jammu and Kashmir has over 6,500 villages, nearly 4,300 Halqa Panchayats and a predominantly rural population. Every village should become an active stakeholder in biodiversity conservation. Unfortunately, official publications such as the Forest Digest reach only a limited audience and fail to generate widespread public awareness.

Protecting forests cannot remain solely a government exercise. Biodiversity conservation must evolve into a genuine people’s movement supported by the government rather than a government programme expecting public support afterwards. Transparency, public consultation and community participation are indispensable for reversing ecological degradation.

The authorities must regularly share information with citizens, encourage informed debate and involve local communities in planning and monitoring afforestation programmes. Without practical feedback from the grassroots, even the best scientific innovations remain confined to files and laboratories.

The common people are the true custodians of our forests. Unless they are actively involved, afforestation programmes will continue to produce disappointing results. Sustainable forest management requires partnership between the government, scientific institutions and local communities.

Nature has nurtured humanity for millennia. It is now humanity’s turn to protect nature with the same devotion.

(The writer is a Jammu-based environmentalist.)