According to data released by the Kashmir Forestry Department a few days ago, timber smuggling in the region fell by 80% in 2023 compared to 2021.
Timber seizures recorded in 2021 reached 18,000 cubic feet, 14,000 cubic feet in 2022, and smuggled timber seizures in the region's forestry sector fell to 10,290 cubic feet in 2023, according to official data.
But according to the local news agency KNS, the department mentioned a problem when dealing with horse smugglers: because most of the smugglers in the hilly areas use horses to transport timber, there is a huge damage to the forest. This is where improvements need to be made, the department said.
As Jammu and Kashmir ramps up its crackdown on timber smuggling, and to improve the accuracy and transparency of the forestry sector's day-to-day operational monitoring, the Jammu and Kashmir Forestry Department has introduced an AI-based facial attendance management system for its field staff, which will also help curb forest timber smuggling.
A spokesperson for the Jammu and Kashmir Forestry Department said the Ministry of Forestry had set up a high-level coordination and monitoring committee to strengthen the existing forest and wildlife conservation system by improving coordination between various sectors.
He added, "In order to better coordinate and monitor forest conservation, the monitoring committees have been further divided into 'regional forest protection committees' and 'circle forest protection committees', which has largely helped the sector to reduce forest timber smuggling and added a new era to the flora and fauna of Jammu and Kashmir." ”