Plantation drive: Lakhs spent, photos taken, but sapling missing in Baltal nurseries

November 5, 2025 by News Desk

A major irregularity has come to light in the Forest Department’s Baltal range, where nurseries worth lakhs of rupees established under the NPV scheme have reportedly failed to yield any visible plantation, raising serious questions over execution and monitoring.

Locals from the area said that three nurseries were set up by the department in Compartment No. 63A of Baltal to promote environmental protection, but no trees or saplings are visible on the ground. They alleged that the saplings planted have dried up, resulting in a complete waste of government funds. At Rangah Mode near Baltal, not a single plant could be spotted in the nursery area, according to witnesses.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department is constructing an Alpine Eco Park at Baltal at a cost of Rs 65 lakh to attract tourists, and another sanctuary is being developed near Kokar Kadal. However, reports indicate that substandard material is being used for fencing and infrastructure at both projects.

Suhail Ahmad Wani, Range Officer of Sindh Range Kangan, confirmed to the news agency Kashmir News Trust that he personally inspected the sites at Gagangir and Baltal yesterday. “We found that poor-quality material was being used in the construction of the Alpine Eco Park. The work has been stopped immediately,” he said.

He further added that fencing at the Kokar Kadal enclosure was also below standard. “Work there too has been halted, and contractors have been instructed to strictly adhere to the specifications mentioned in the allotment documents,” Wani said.

During inspection at Gagangir, cattle were found inside a protected enclosure, which is meant to prevent livestock entry. “The salary of the concerned forest guard has been withheld,” the officer said, adding that he would soon visit the Baltal nurseries to verify the alleged lack of plantation.

The department’s projects, particularly the Rs 65-lakh Alpine Eco Park, are now under scrutiny amid growing public concern about misuse of funds and negligence in the implementation of environmental schemes. [KNT]