Rana expressed concern over the declining availability of quality willow timber, describing it as one of the biggest challenges confronting the cricket bat industry. “The declining availability of willow timber is a matter of serious concern. The Minister also noted that the area under willow plantations has witnessed a steady decline, particularly on private lands, owing to changing land-use patterns. This will secure livelihoods while preserving Kashmir's unique position as the country's cricket bat manufacturing hub," asserted the Minister. The Agriculture Department was directed to identify the departmental farms and research blocks for raising quality willow planting material to support large-scale plantation drives.