Srinagar, July 31: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Friday directed the concerned departments to launch a coordinated drive to revive willow cultivation across Kashmir to ensure a sustainable supply of quality timber for the Valley's cricket bat industry.

The directions were issued during a high-level review meeting held to address the challenges facing the willow sector and prepare a long-term revival strategy.
Rana said Kashmir remains the country's only source of specialised willow used for manufacturing cricket bats, with hundreds of units—mainly in south Kashmir's Anantnag district—providing livelihoods to thousands of people.
Expressing concern over the declining availability of quality willow timber, the Minister attributed the shortage to indiscriminate felling and inadequate replantation, leading to rising production costs and uncertainty in raw material supply.
He directed the Forest Department to identify suitable low-lying and marshy areas for new plantations in coordination with Deputy Commissioners, while the State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) was tasked with introducing improved willow clones and ensuring the availability of quality planting material.
The Agriculture Department was also asked to identify farms and research blocks for raising quality willow saplings to support large-scale plantation drives.
The meeting also discussed scientific management of plantations, timely disposal of mature trees, streamlining permissions for felling and transportation, and promoting GI-tagged Kashmir willow bats through better branding.
Rana called for close coordination among the Forest, Agriculture, Industries & Commerce, MSME and allied departments and directed them to submit a time-bound action plan, stressing that reviving willow resources is essential for safeguarding the cricket bat industry and the livelihoods dependent on it.