SRINAGAR, Feb 19: The Government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that nearly 1.35 lakh willow trees have been removed so far as part of an approved restoration programme at Wular Lake, with approximately ₹31.95 crore generated through the process.
Responding to a written query by MLA Irshad Rasool Kar, the Government clarified that the exercise undertaken by the Wular Conservation and Management Authority is a structured habitat management and lake restoration initiative aimed at reviving the hydrological and ecological balance of Asia’s largest freshwater lake.
Addressing concerns raised about alleged deforestation activities in areas such as Ninglee in Hygam, Gund Jahangir and Kanyari, the Government stated that the removal of willow plantations is being carried out strictly in accordance with the Comprehensive Management Action Plan for Wular Lake, approved in 2007. The plan explicitly recommends the strategic and phased removal of willow plantations as a key restoration measure.
Officials emphasised that the ongoing intervention cannot be categorised as deforestation, as it does not involve diversion or degradation of forest land. Instead, it targets the removal of invasive or ecologically adverse vegetation that has altered the lake’s natural wetland character over the years. The objective, the Government said, is to restore open water areas, improve water circulation and enhance biodiversity.
In the first phase of the programme, 1.91 lakh willow trees were identified for removal. Of these, approximately 1.35 lakh trees have already been felled. However, the Government clarified that the 2007 management plan does not envisage blanket removal of all willow plantations. Rather, it prescribes selective, phased and need-based removal aligned with specific restoration and habitat management goals.
The intervention has also generated significant revenue. According to the reply placed before the House, around ₹31.95 crore has been realised so far. The Government stated that the entire amount has been duly deposited under Government receipts in compliance with established financial norms and procedures.
Alongside removal efforts, compensatory and restorative measures are being implemented in the lake’s catchment area. The Government informed the Assembly that plantation drives are being carried out in coordination with the Forest Territorial Wing through approved funding mechanisms, including the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority and other schemes.
Since the establishment of the Wular Conservation and Management Authority in 2012, more than 19 lakh saplings have been planted in the catchment areas to strengthen ecological resilience. In the Bandipora catchment alone, over 2,900 hectares have been treated through plantation and soil conservation measures over the past decade. These interventions aim to stabilise slopes, control erosion and reduce sediment load entering the lake, which has been a major contributor to shrinking water spread and loss of wetland character.
The Government reiterated that the overall objective of the restoration drive is to revive Wular’s ecological functions, enhance its flood absorption capacity and secure its role as a vital freshwater reservoir for the region. By combining phased vegetation management, scientific catchment treatment and financial accountability, the authorities aim to strike a balance between ecological restoration and sustainable resource management.
The restoration initiative, officials maintained, reflects a long-term commitment to safeguarding Wular Lake’s environmental significance while ensuring that interventions remain transparent, regulated and aligned with approved conservation frameworks.