The Felling of 5.84 Lakh Trees on the Banks of River Jhelum

1.

Over 5.84 lakh trees have been cut along the banks of the Jhelum River in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years.
The tree felling was part of an official drive to remove what authorities classified as “encroachments” from riverbanks and to restore the river’s natural flow12.

Authorities argue that the trees, mainly poplars, were planted for commercial reasons and often to claim land ownership.
These trees were said to obstruct the natural flow of the river, contributing to flooding and narrowing of the watercourse, especially during the 2014 floods2.
The majority of trees felled (about 4.79 lakh) were from the Sumbal division, covering areas from Panzinara to Boniyar1.

Environmentalists and activists strongly oppose the mass felling, citing:
- Loss of riparian vegetation, which is crucial for preventing soil erosion and maintaining riverbank stability.
- Release of stored carbon, contributing to climate change.
- Negative impacts on local biodiversity and microclimate regulation12.
Scientific evidence suggests that trees on riverbanks strengthen embankments and reduce erosion, playing a key role in flood mitigation13.

Removal of trees leads to:
- Increased soil erosion and sedimentation in the river.
- Higher risk of riverbank collapse and uncontrolled sediment flow.
- Degradation of aquatic habitats and decline in fish populations due to loss of shade and organic input45.
The loss of tree cover also exacerbates the effects of urbanization, such as increased surface runoff and reduced groundwater recharge24.

The deforestation is linked to rising local temperatures and extreme weather events, such as the record-breaking July heat in Kashmir1.
Local communities dependent on the river for water, agriculture, and livelihoods are affected by declining water quality and increased flood risk53.

Environmental groups criticize the lack of scientific studies before undertaking such a large-scale removal of trees.
They advocate for alternative and more sustainable solutions, such as selective removal, restoration of natural vegetation, and improved river management practices12.

Category	Official Position	Environmentalist View	Ecological Consequence
Rationale	Remove encroachments, restore river flow	Unscientific, ignores ecosystem services	Loss of riparian buffer
Impact on Flooding	Claims to reduce flood risk	Tree removal increases flood and erosion risk	Higher sedimentation, unstable banks
Climate Implication	Not addressed	Increases carbon emissions, worsens climate crisis	Local warming, extreme weather events
Biodiversity	Not addressed	Loss of habitat, decline in aquatic life	Reduced biodiversity, ecosystem imbalance
Public Consultation	Minimal, no scientific study cited	Demands for scientific and participatory approach	Community livelihoods at risk

The felling of trees along the Jhelum River is a complex issue involving administrative, ecological, and social dimensions.
While the government cites flood management and removal of encroachments, environmentalists emphasize the need for scientific, sustainable, and participatory approaches to river management, warning of severe long-term consequences for the region’s climate, ecology, and communities123.

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1: Screenshot-2025-07-09-085519.jpg
2: The Wire
3: Greater Kashmir
4: Scroll.in
5: Rising Kashmir