Includes forest data of J&K

1. Forest cover of Jammu and
Kashmir

2. Content :
 introduction of forest cover
 classification of forest cover
 map of j&k showing forest cover
 previous years j&k data on forest cover
 Graphical representation of total forest cover from year 2001 – 2017
 Introduction of forest
 Types of forest found in j&k
 Steps helping in reducing depletion of forest

3. FOREST COVER
Forest Cover refers to all lands more than one hectare in area,
with a tree canopy density of more than 10 percent irrespective
of ownership and legal status. It also includes orchards, bamboo
and palm. Tree cover comprises of tree patches outside the
recorded forest area exclusive of forest cover and less than the
minimum mappable area .

4. Classification of forest cover :
Class Description
Very Dense Forest All lands with tree canopy density of 70% and above.
Moderately Dense
Forest
All lands with tree canopy density of 40% and more but less than
70%.
Open Forest All lands with tree canopy density of 10% and more but less than 40%
Scrubs Degraded forest lands with canopy density less than 10%.
Non-Forest Lands not included in any of the above classes.

6. GEOGRAPHICAL
AREA
FOREST COVER IN 2001 (Area in km2)
Dense forest Open forest Total
2,22,236 11,848 9,389 21,237
GEOGRAHICAL
AREA
FOREST COVER IN 2003 (Area in km2)
Very dense
forest
Mod. dense
forest
Open forest Total
2,22,236 2,102 8,395 10,770 21,267
GEOGRAHICAL
AREA
FOREST COVER IN 2005 (Area in km2)
Very dense
Forest
Mod. Dense
forest
Open forest Total
2,22,236 2,135 8,394 10,744 21,273

7. GEOGRAHICAL
AREA
FOREST COVER IN 2007 (Area in km2)
Very dense
forest
Mod. Dense
forest
Open forest Total
2,22,236 4,298 8,977 9,411 22,686
GEOGRAHICAL
AREA
FOREST COVER IN 2011 (Area in km2)
Very dense
forest
Mod. Dense
forest
Open forest Total
2,22,236 2,102 8,395 10,770 21,267
GEOGRAHICAL
AREA
FOREST COVER IN 2013 (Area in km2)
Very dense
forest
Mod. Dense
forest
Open forest Total
2,22,236 2,135 8,394 10,744 21,273

8. GEOGRAHICAL
AREA
FOREST COVER IN 2015 (Area in km2)
Very dense
forest
Mod. Dense
forest
Open forest Total
2,22,236 4,061 8,815 10,112 22,988
GEOGRAHICAL
AREA
FOREST COVER IN 2017 (Area in km2)
Very dense
forest
Mod. Dense
forest
Open forest Total
2,22,236 4,075 8,579 10,587 23,241

9. From the year 2001-2005 there was slight increase in forest cover but in in
the year 2007 there is sudden increase in forest cover due to
afforestation. In 2011 there is sudden down fall of forest cover due to
heavy deforestation and overexploitation. In year 2013 there was slight
increase in forest cover. Then in year 2015 there was sudden increase in
forest cover which continues in the year 2017 due to heavy plantation and
conservation activities in the state as well as improvement in
interpretation due to better radiometric resolution of the recent satellite
data from resoursesat-2 .

10. FOREST
A large area of land covered with
trees and plants, usually larger than
a wood, or the trees and plants . .

11. The forests of Jammu and Kashmir state may be classified
under the following categories :
1.SubtropicalForests:
The subtropical rain forests are confined to the Siwaliks hills and
lower slopes of the Middle Himalayas. Owing to the seasonality of
rainfall and edaphic factors there is great diversity of trees in these
forest. These factors have a thick undergrowth of bushes and scrubs.
The dominant species of subtropical forests are teak, sal, Shisham,
Pipal (Ficus religiosa).
These forests are mainly utilised for fuel-wood, timber, house-
construction, agricultural implements and miscellaneous purposes.
Valuable products like resins, gum, Katha, and medicinal herbs are
also obtained from the subtropical forests of the state. These forests
are being destroyed and depleted at a faster pace. The pressure of
human population and ignorance of people are quickly damaging the
ecosystems of these forests.

12. 2. Temperate Forests:
Moving northwards as the latitude and altitude increase the place of
the subtropical forest is taken by temperate vegetation. The slopes of
Pir Panjal, Greater Himalayas, Zanskar and Karakoram between 1,500
m to 3,000 m are dominated by temperate forests. The dominant
species in these forest are deodar (cedrus Deodara), pine (pinus),
silver-fir, spruce, fir, elm, alder, cedar, ash, sorrel, birch, paper-birch,
and hazel.
In the valley floor of Kashmir, poplar, chinar, maple and vir (willow) are
the main species of vegetation which are deciduous in character.
The temperate forests are utilized for timber, fuel-wood, charcoal, and
house construction. These forests produce good quality of timber and
paper- pulp. The most valuable timber forests of deodar have been
depleted and are now confined to the north-western corner of Kashmir
Division.
The overexploitation of forests and the use of soft and costly wood for
fuel are doing great harm to the state revenue on the one hand and to
aesthetic beauty and ecosystems on the other. In fact, many of the
ecosystems have lost their resilience characteristics.

13. 3. Alpine Pastures:
The alpine pastures lie between 3600 m to 4000 m above the sea
level. Being the zone of high altitudes, the climate in alpine pastures
is extremely cold over greater parts of the year
The low temperatures at high altitudes of the Himalayan belt of the
state support some dwarf varieties of birch and junipers making a
shrubby appearance.
4.NaturalVegetationof Ladakh:
In Ladakh, the average annual rainfall is less than 20 cm. Ladakh is a
high altitude desert. Lack of moisture is the essential factor shaping
the vegetation of Ladakh. The absence of rainfall over greater part of
the year has resulted into xerophytic vegetation. The plants of
Ladakh have evolved many special characteristics for conserving
water.

14. CAUSES OF DECREASE IN FOREST COVER:-
1.INCREASING POPULATION: - India is 2nd most populated country
hence there is no doubt it has increased need for food, shelter, other
facilities and requirements. So many trees has been cut off to meet
all the needs of the increasing population.
2.COMMERCIAL USE : - Trees has been cut for timber and pulp,
timber being used for furniture and other goods and pulp being used
for papers.
3.EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURE:- Trees were being cut to increase the
area of cultivation from years. Shifting cultivation is another cause
where, after the deforestation lands are used till they loose fertility
and left like that only. Slash and burn method is another thing where
forests are affected in large scale, they are burnt for cultivation.
4.CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS also contribute to destruction of forest
area
5.NATURAL DISASTERS like fire also consumes more or little amount
of forest

15. Some of the steps which may help in reducing the rate of
depletion of forests have been given as under:
1.The government should implement the National Forest Policy strictly
and the wrong doers be brought to the book. In order to reduce the
pressure on forest, alternate sources of power (hydel and thermal) be
adequately developed to meet the growing demand of fuel for cooking
and heating in the rural and urban masses.
2. The forests may be conserved by preventing the wastes in lumbering.
Still at many places, much of the waste material is burnt which can be
used for fuel and some in making small articles like toys, decoration
pieces and handles for tools. More attention is to be paid to the treat-
ment of lumber with chemicals to prevent its decay and destruction by
insects.
3. Each year forest fires sweep over large areas. This great waste can
almost wholly be prevented if adequate attention is paid to safeguard the
forests from fire. In dry season especially in summers, hunters and idle
visitors should be forbidden to enter the forests. The burning of forest
waste should be done after a heavy rain or snowfall when the danger of
conflagration of fire is minimum.
4. Modern technology for harvesting forest should be employed.

16. 5. The community land should be brought under social
forestry to meet the fuel and fodder demands of the local
people.
6. Reforestation should be attempted on barren lands
and undulating slopes.
7. A comprehensive forest management and
development plan has to be adopted to increase the
productively of forests, to link up forest development
with forest based industries and to develop forests as
supports to economy.

17. THANK YOU
PLANTING A TREE IS MUCH BETTER THAN WEARING A MASK TO BE SAFE
FROM POLLUTION .
PRESENTED BY : SONALI (26)
MEHAK SHARMA (11)