Sericulture Dept withholds nod for felling of Mulberry trees along Srinagar’s bund road

By Arif Rashid
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14 Apr 2026

Srinagar, April 13: Directorate of Sericulture Development Department, Jammu & Kashmir, has withheld its earlier permission for the removal of 62 mulberry trees along the proposed widening and upgradation of Bund Road (Canal Avenue Road) from Mouchu Bridge to Rawalpora Bridge in Srinagar, citing public interest and stakeholder concerns.

The decision was formalized through Order No. 04/DS/JK/TECH/2026 dated April 13, 2026. The order puts on hold a prior approval that had allowed the felling of the trees through a supervised process, including disposal via standing auction.

The issue traces back to November 26, 2025, when the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Division, Rajbagh, sought permission to remove 92 mulberry trees falling within the proposed road alignment to facilitate infrastructure development.

In response, the Sericulture Directorate undertook a detailed review, highlighting the ecological and economic significance of mulberry trees, which are integral to the region’s sericulture industry.

Subsequently, the Directorate assigned the Additional Director of the Sericulture Development Department, Kashmir, to conduct a field assessment. Based on on-site verification, public feedback, and representations emphasizing the urgency of the project, a revised recommendation was made to permit the removal of 62 trees instead of the originally proposed 92.

Acting on this recommendation, the Directorate had granted approval on March 20, 2026, for the supervised felling of the reduced number of trees. However, the decision sparked protests and objections from local residents and stakeholders, particularly those associated with the sericulture sector, who voiced concerns about potential impacts on livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

“In light of the circumstances and in the larger public interest,” the Directorate stated in its latest order, the previously issued No Objection Certificate (NOC) has been withheld with immediate effect, pending further review.

The order has been circulated to the Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department Kashmir; Executive Engineer, R&B Division Rajbagh; District Sericulture Officer Budgam; and other concerned officials for necessary action.