Jammu, March 11: The Jammu and Kashmir government Tuesday denied the reports of timber and firewood shortage in Shopian district of South Kashmir stating that the supplies remain available through official channels.
In response to a query raised by the National Conference MLA from Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, the Minister for Forest and Ecology Javaid Ahmed Rana, provided a detailed breakdown of extraction and distribution of timber and firewood over the past three years. The government also ruled out the shortage of timber in the district.
According to the official data, the J&K Forest Development Corporation Limited extracted a total of 6.651 lakh cubic feet (cft) of timber from Shopian’s forests between 2021 and 2024.
The government said that a total of 37,079 cft of timber was supplied to consumers through Concessional Timber Sale Depots (CTSDs). “Similarly, 5,107 quintals of firewood were distributed as well,” the reply reads.
Amid claims of timber scarcity, the government clarified that supply is being provided on a concessional basis through CTSDs, subject to availability and official sanctioning. “To enhance accessibility, the Kunjoos Nikas timber sale depot has been made operational, with additional timber to be supplied once dead, dry, and fallen trees are identified for extraction,” the reply states.
Regarding firewood, the government said that the general demand is largely met through private sourcing from non-demarcated forest areas, including orchards and plantations. The department primarily supplies firewood to religious institutions at concessional rates, catering to 30 institutions in 2021–22 and 2022–23 and 25 institutions in 2023–24. Despite government assurances, the data indicates a gradual decline in both timber extraction and distribution over the past three years in the district. With demand peaking during the winter months, it remains to be seen whether existing supply mechanisms can adequately meet the long-term needs of Shopian’s residents.
Year-wise timber extraction figures
2021–22: 3.518 lakh cft
2022–23: 1.716 lakh cft
2023–24: 1.417 lakh cft
Year wise firewood extraction figures
2021–22: 2,749 quintals
2022–23: 2,240 quintals
2023–24: 2,647 quintals
