The Jammu Kashmir RTI Movement has issued a scathing condemnation of the ongoing, large-scale felling of Kashmir Poplars and Willows along the banks of River Jhelum, calling the act “nothing less than an ecological disaster.”
In a statement issued today, founder and chairperson Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool said, “The unchecked, unscientific tree felling being carried out under the guise of post-flood dredging operations is a catastrophe in the making. These trees were not accidental — they were planted intentionally to stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion, and support local biodiversity.”
He added that the trees along the river have become a vital part of the ecosystem. “Their wide canopies reduce summer temperatures by several degrees, they provide nesting grounds for birds, attract butterflies and insects, and help the soil retain moisture. Their removal is not just the loss of greenery — it is the dismantling of a living ecological system.”
According to data accessed through RTI applications, the number of trees already cut is “alarmingly high” and the entire operation has been carried out without the mandatory environmental clearances.
Dr. Rasool said, “Shockingly, this mass-scale destruction was undertaken without any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), without consulting environmental scientists, traditional knowledge holders, or the affected communities. This is a glaring violation of basic environmental governance norms.”
He further criticised the government’s approach, stating, “If the real concern was flood mitigation, the priority should have been to revive Kashmir’s traditional water drainage systems — the wetlands, canals, and the interlinked channels between them and the Jhelum. These have always acted as natural flood buffers. Instead, the authorities have chosen a path of destruction, driven by short-term goals and administrative greed.”
Dr. Rasool said the ecological damage is already worsening Kashmir’s climate stress. “The ongoing heatwave and rising temperatures in the Valley are no coincidence. There is a direct link between the cutting of trees and the climate extremes we are facing today.”
The J\&K RTI Movement has demanded an immediate halt to all ongoing tree felling along the Jhelum and its tributaries. It has also called for a high-level, time-bound inquiry into the decision-making process, including the role of specific officials and the inconsistencies revealed through RTI responses.
In addition, the group has called for a comprehensive restoration plan, including large-scale replantation with native tree species, and the development of an integrated flood mitigation strategy rooted in both scientific understanding and community wisdom. It insisted that no future ecological interventions should take place without transparent, multi-stakeholder consultations.
“We ask the government and society: what kind of development are we pursuing, one that sacrifices our rivers, forests, pastures, and even glaciers?” said Dr. Rasool. “Kashmir was once known for its cool climate and lush natural landscapes. Are we ready to let that identity disappear under the name of reckless development?”
He urged people across the region to reflect and resist. “The J&K RTI Movement remains committed to defending our ecological heritage. Every conscious citizen must ask — at what cost are we building the future, and whose future is it really?”
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
