KATHUA, Jan 19: The Kathua Forest Division has officially dismissed unsubstantiated reports circulating on social media alleging the illegal and unauthorized felling of Khair trees within its jurisdiction.
In a detailed clarification, the department confirmed that the ongoing operations in Chilik and Seswan villages of the Jasrota Range are being conducted on private land under strict legal authorization. These activities are fully compliant with the provisions of SRO 111 of 2016 and the approved Khair Management Plan, following a landmark Supreme Court of India judgment that lifted the ban on felling Khair trees on private lands in Jammu and Kashmir based on recommendations from the Central Empowered Committee.
The current felling is part of the Revised Khair Management Plan for the 2025–26 cycle, as sanctioned by the PCCF (HoFF), J&K, which adheres to a prescribed 10-year felling schedule. To maintain transparency and accountability, the department emphasized that the entire process is being rigorously monitored by joint teams comprising officials from the Forest, Revenue, and Police Departments of Kathua.
The public is strongly advised to disregard unverified information and rely solely on official communications, with the department urging citizens to report any specific grievances directly to the competent authorities for lawful action.
