Srinagar, March 30 -- A US-based Global Forest Watch (GFW) report has revealed a significant increase in the forest cover of Jammu and Kashmir.

GFW revealed that Jammu and Kashmir experienced a net gain of 38,300 hectares (38.3 kha) of tree cover during the decade between 2000 and 2020, marking a 2.4% increase over the period.

The cumulative increase in tree cover during this time was 57,500 hectares (57.5 kha), accounting for 3.1% of India's total tree cover growth, GFW data revealed.

The districts leading the charge in increasing tree cover include Kulgam, Kishtwar, Shopian, Udhampur, Samba, and Anantnag. Together, these areas accounted for 52% of the total tree cover gain in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kulgam emerged as the top contributor,...