Shopian, July 28 -- Director of Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS), on Sunday conducted an on-spot inspection in Sedew village, Shopian, where 12 fully grown mulberry trees were found to have been illegally cut down. He was accompanied by senior officers of the department.

Expressing deep concern, Bhat said the illegal felling of mulberry trees is a serious loss to government assets and directly threatens the livelihood of silkworm rearers, as mulberry leaves are the only feed for silkworms. "Such acts badly affect cocoon production and the income of farmers who rely on sericulture," he said.

He further added that the incident not only harms farmers' income but also damages the environment. "The mulberry tree is essential to the ser...