When it comes to safeguarding Kashmir’s ecology, few names stand out as much as Mr Irfan Rasool Wani, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir. His work has been closely linked with Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater wetlands, and his efforts to revive and protect it have gained national recognition. In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds during the Eco Warrior Awards 2025, he shared about his work and vision in detail.
Watch the interview here:
THE CHALLENGES OF WULAR LAKE
Covering nearly 130 square kilometres, Wular Lake plays a crucial role in regulating floods, storing water for irrigation, and even powering hydroelectric projects. It is also a Ramsar site of international ecological importance. Yet, despite its significance, the lake has faced decades of neglect and degradation.
“Wular had three main problems,” Mr Wani explained. “Siltation had reduced its water-holding capacity, extensive willow plantations were choking its ecosystem, and untreated waste from nearby villages was polluting the waters.” The heavy load of silt washing in from catchment areas, coupled with encroachments, further strained the lake’s health.
A SCIENTIFIC AND COMMUNITY-DRIVEN APPROACH
To tackle these issues, Mr Wani and his team designed a comprehensive restoration plan. One of the most striking interventions was large-scale desiltation, carried out with advanced cutter suction dredgers—a first for Jammu and Kashmir. Over a period of 24 months, despite the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly three square kilometres of the lake were cleared.
Simultaneously, the department began removing willow plantations, auctioning the wood, and replanting native species in the catchment to reduce future silt deposits. Beyond ecological measures, development projects were introduced in nearby villages to reduce pressure on the lake’s resources.
RECLAIMING FOREST AND CURBING POACHING
Conservation efforts extended to the forests surrounding Wular, particularly in the Kandi range of Baramulla district. The challenges here were not only environmental but also social. “The area lacked roads, telecommunication, and basic infrastructure. People depended on forests for fuelwood and grazing, and our staff faced violent attacks in the past,” Mr Wani recalled.
Instead of relying only on enforcement, the strategy addressed the community’s livelihood needs. Roads were built to improve access to towns, ecotourism routes and parks were developed and handed over to local communities for management, and women were connected to LPG schemes to reduce firewood dependence. Drinking water facilities were also provided. These measures built goodwill, and forest conservation became a shared responsibility. For those who continued illegal logging, stringent laws like the Public Safety Act were enforced, sending a clear message.
REVIVING CHINAR
Another initiative close to IFS Wani’s vision is the celebration of “Chinar Day” every 15th of March. The Chinar tree, with a heritage dating back 500–600 years in Kashmir, has been under threat due to urban expansion. To safeguard it, the Forest Department launched a “Tree Aadhaar” project, assigning each Chinar a unique ID number and recording its health and location in a digital database.
This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in India, helps monitor illegal felling and ensures the survival of this iconic species. On Chinar Day, awareness campaigns, student rallies, art competitions, and mass plantations are organised, keeping cultural symbolism at the core of environmental awareness.
A VISION FOR THE NEXT DECADE
Looking ahead, IFS Irfan Rasool Wani is clear about his priorities. Kashmir has 48% forest cover—higher than the national average but still below the two-thirds coverage recommended for hilly states under India’s forest policy. Expanding green cover outside designated forests, by encouraging tree planting on private and community lands, is a key focus.
Tourism, horticulture, and agriculture—the backbone of Kashmir’s economy—are all dependent on healthy forests and wetlands. Tourist destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam lie within forested areas, while apple orchards and other horticultural crops depend on pollinators that thrive in forest ecosystems. “Conserving forests is not just about protecting wildlife; it’s directly linked to livelihoods, food security, and economic stability,” Mr Wani emphasised.
The department is working with schools, local communities, and multiple government departments to build a broad conservation movement. From students participating in eco-marches to villagers managing eco-parks, the message is clear: conservation cannot succeed in isolation; it requires partnerships.
A BROADER LESSON
Mr Irfan Rasool Wani’s work shows that conservation is not only about protecting landscapes but also about addressing the human dimension. By blending scientific methods with community engagement and cultural heritage, he has been able to revive ecosystems once thought to be lost. Wular Lake’s revival, the protection of Chinar trees, and the transformation of forest-fringe villages offer practical lessons for conservation efforts across India.
