Forest Land Encroachment in Kehmil Forest Division of Kupwara District: Dimensions, Causes and Consequences.

This research aims to identify the areas under encroachment and its causes and consequences in the Kehmil forest division of the district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir. The survey was conducted for two consecutive years during September 2020 to November 2020 and September 2021 to November 2021. The study area is dominated by (Himalayan dry-temperate to subalpine forest types). Cedrus deodar, Pinus excelsa, and Abies pindrow are the species in the Kupwara region with the highest importance value (IV). For data collection, direct observations of the encroached site, interviews and opinion of the locals, literature studies and analysis were done. The study area of 546.89 hectare land was encroached by 2178 encroachers. It was determined that the encroached area's agricultural system is a dry land one with horticultural crops as its primary plant types. The main reason for forest encroachment by the population is relatively huge such as rise in population and unemployment, restrictions on agricultural land and forest guard forces. Due to forest encroachment, the abolition of forest plant species in study area has altered the expected ranking of tree species identified in the undisturbed forest. Based on the present study, it is concluded that there is a need of extensive land-use regulations at the national and municipal levels to stop future deforestation by well-built protections for the remaining forest land in the Kehmil forest division.