Srinagar, March 19 -- Jammu and Kashmir has long been known for its breathtaking landscapes, thick forests, and rich biodiversity. These forests are not just patches of green; they are life itself-home to rare wildlife, protectors of our water sources, and warriors against climate change. But today, they stand wounded. The axe of deforestation, the greed of illegal timber mafias, wildfires, and unregulated urbanization are choking the very lungs that allow us to breathe.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Studies suggest that Jammu and Kashmir is losing its forest cover at an alarming rate, with illegal encroachments, overgrazing, and climate change accelerating the damage. The once-mighty rivers, fed by forest-fed springs, are drying up...