SRINAGAR: Around 300 hectares of traditional apple and walnut orchards in Jammu and Kashmir have been converted into high-density plantations, while 909.13 hectares have been brought under new high-density plantations over the past five years under various Central and Union Territory schemes, the Centre informed Parliament on Friday. The minister said the Jammu and Kashmir government is also implementing the High-Density Plantation (HDP) Scheme, the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) to promote the conversion of traditional orchards into high-density plantations. He, however, noted that separate data on the conversion of traditional walnut orchards is not maintained under MIDH. Under the UT’s Modified High Density Plantation Scheme, beneficiaries can avail institutional finance of up to 80 per cent of the project cost, subject to lending norms. Financial assistance is also being provided for water harvesting structures, drip irrigation systems, anti-hail nets and mulching to reduce losses from unseasonal dry spells and adverse weather.