DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER SOCAL FORESTRY DIVISION BARAMULLA
In Jammu & Kashmir Social Forestry Project was started as a World Bank aided Project in 1981-82, initially for a period of five years. The Project was extended up-to 1990-91. Since then the Project works have continued as an activity under the State funding, to provide fuel-wood in the shortest possible time and to provide poles, small timber, fodder fruits and other minor forest products for basic requirements of the rural poor.
The Government Jammu & Kashmir vide order No: 481-FST of 2004 dated: 28-10-2004 converted the Social Forestry Project into a full-fledged Department, headed by a Director.
Functions of the Department
The main mandate of the department is to take up the plantations on the degraded Forest lands, Village common,State Land, Khachari and wastelands on a massive scale in the following categories of plantations.
- Raising of Village Wood Lots
- Rehabilitation of Degraded Forests.
- Raising of Strip Plantation.
- Farm Forestry.
- Institutional Plantation.
The Social Forestry Department is being transformed from a purely expenditure-driven entity into a revenue-generating department in order to become self-sustaining. The revenue generated not only supports the Department’s operations but also strengthens the rural economy through benefit-sharing mechanisms provided under SRO-61 dated 19-03-1992, as modified by SRO-17 dated 12-03-1999 and S.O-327 dated 07-07-2022. In addition, the Department contributes substantially to the Government exchequer.
Exhibitions
The Department of Social Forestry actively participates in exhibitions organized by J&K Forest Department at UT level. In these events, the Department showcases its flagship schemes, with special emphasis on Farm Forestry and Nursery Production. The exhibitions serve as an important platform for creating public awareness regarding the role of Social Forestry in environmental conservation, livelihood generation, and rural development.
In addition to highlighting ongoing schemes, the Department also displays a wide range of plant species raised in its nurseries. This not only demonstrates the Department’s nursery management capabilities but also encourages farmers, institutions, and local communities to adopt large-scale plantation practices. Such participations provide an opportunity to interact directly with the public, disseminate technical know-how, and promote benefit-sharing models that link forestry initiatives with community welfare and the rural economy.
Detail of all Schemes with a brief description
| S. No | Name of the Scheme | Component & Brief Description | Eligibility | Procedure | Where/how to apply for the scheme | Beneficiaries benefitted under the scheme |
| 01 | Farm Forestry | Distribution of cotton-free Poplar saplings to farmers at a nominal rate of Rs. 0.90 per plant. | All farmers having land suitable for raising Poplars. | Farmers submit a written application indicating their requirement to the concerned DFO. | Concerned Range Office (e.g., Range Office Bandipora). | Individual Farmers |
| 02 | Raising of Village Wood Lots (VWL) | Establishment of Village Wood Lots on community/common village lands as one of the core mandates of the Department. | All villages with available common land. | Land is identified and finalized through the Village Panchayat Plantation Committee (VPPC) as per S.O. 327. | Concerned Division Office through respective Range Office. | Entire Village Community |
| 03 | Institutional Plantation | Plantation activities undertaken in Government institutions (schools, offices, etc.) to promote green campuses. | All Government institutions. | Institutions submit a simple requisition for plantation to the Department. | Concerned Range Office through the DFO. | Government Institutions |
Name & Designatioin of Head of Division
DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER SOCAL FORESTRY