From barren land to forest: Team effort revives degraded area in Kulgam

Younus Rashid
Comments 0
19 Jan 2026

Officials say model can be replicated elsewhere Nagam (Kulgam), Jan 19: A once-barren stretch of land in Nagam area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district has been transformed into a thriving green landscape, marking a notable success in forest regeneration under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme. The CAMPA closure developed in Compartment N-06 of Nagam Range in DH Pora, under the Kulgam Forest Division, has flourished after sustained efforts by the Forest Department over the past five years. Spread over 20 hectares, the site is now fully green and is being cited as a model for restoring degraded forest land through scientific planning and coordinated fieldwork. Divisional Forest Officer Kulgam, Mohammad Ashraf Katoo, said the success of Compartment N-06 was the result of consistent planning and execution over the years. He said species were selected after assessing local soil and climatic conditions, which ensured higher survival rates and healthy growth. He said close coordination among field staff, regular supervision by officers and timely administrative support helped address challenges during different stages of the plantation, which was initiated during the tenure of former DFO Kulgam, Syed Wasim Gull. Continuous monitoring and an effective watch and ward system protected the area from grazing, illicit felling and other pressures, he added. “The compartment took around five to six years to visibly come alive. Initial establishment was seen within the first two to three years, while regeneration gained strength over time as root systems stabilised and canopy cover improved,” Gull had earlier said. Katoo said sustained watch and ward, periodic silvicultural interventions, soil and moisture conservation works, enrichment planting where required, regular monitoring and community involvement were essential to ensure long-term stability of the plantation. Former DFO Kulgam, Syed Wasim Gull, told Rising Kashmir that the project was started during his tenure, and it was encouraging to see the plantation flourish. "The initiative demonstrated how degraded landscapes could be revived with patience and sustained effort," he said. Gull said the model could be replicated in other barren areas by conducting site-specific assessments of soil, moisture and climatic conditions, followed by suitable species selection. “Micro-planning, coordination among field staff, continuous guidance by officers, protection during initial stages and sustained funding are necessary for long-term success,” he added. The plantation unit was established under the CAMPA scheme during 2019–20 in Compartment N-06 of DH Pora Range. The plantation includes kail, deodar, ash (fraxinus), apple, apricot and other broad-leaved species.