Dry spell triggers massive forest fire in Kashmir valley

Persistent dry spell and drought-like conditions have triggered massive forest fires across the Kashmir valley. More than eight forest officials have been injured in the fire-fighting operations.

From Bandipora to Anantnag to Kangan to Kupwara, massive fire has engulfed the dense forests spread over hundreds of hectares of land across the Kashmir valley.

Jammu and Kashmir Police, Forest Department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and local volunteers have been trying hard to douse the flames. Specialized equipment have also been pressed into service to douse the flames.

"Forest department and volunteers are working tirelessly to douse the forest fire in Bandipora, Kangan, Anantnag and other affected areas. They have succeeding in partially extinguishing it. All departments are on high alert to make sure that the situation is brought under control," tweeted Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister.

The Kashmir Valley is under the grip of dry spell with scant snow and rains occurring this fall. Plus the temperatures have unusually been soaring in spring which has compounded the problem in the upper reaches and jungle areas.

"There is no moisture in the soil. There is no greenery and temperature has increased before time. These are the factors which result in the forest fire. We are experiencing unprecedented climate. We are witnessing temperature which usually we used to experience is in May," said Nisar Ahmad, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir.

Ahmad said one of the Divisional Forest Officers has been injured during the fire fighting operation. "Everything is under control and most of the places it has been controlled. All employees are on the job. My deputy director has suffered injured. Injuries do happen because the affected area is at high altitude and sometimes people slip down," he said.

District Development Commissioner (DDC) Bandipora, Khursheed Ahmad Sanai hailed the efforts of the volunteers for their help to douse forest fire. Sanai on Friday evening had appealed to the volunteers to provide helping hand to the District Administration for extinguishing the devastating fire.

Jammu and Kashmir has a forest area of 20,23,041 hectares of which 12,06,623 hectares are in Jammu and 8,16,418 hectares in Kashmir including Leh and Kargil.

About 59 percent of the geographical area of the state is under permanent snow cover, glaciers and cold desert and unable to support tree growth. Forests of Jammu and Kashmir exhibit remarkable diversity ranging from sub-tropical to temperate to alpine because of the distinctive geo-climatic conditions prevalent in the state.