Srinagar, Feb 03: Due to ongoing dry spell, the wildfires in Jammu and Kashmir are escalating at an alarming rate, with 6,752 incidents reported in 2024 and 41 more recorded in the first week of 2025 alone.
Baramulla in north Kashmir was hardest hit, with 1,212 fire incidents last year, officials said.
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Authorities have identified human negligence, specifically cooking and bonfires by tourists and local visitors as a major contributing factor, in addition to dry spells and other natural causes.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Forest Division Kamraj told Rising Kashmir that recently two fire incidents were reported in Kashmir from these areas despite prior fire warnings.
“Cooking by visitors is a significant cause of these incidents. We have increased patrolling, and if anyone is caught engaging in such activities, strict legal action will be taken, including lodging FIRs,” he said.
Popular tourist destinations like Rajpora and Rampora, also known as Khudgu Munglu, attract large crowds due to their dense forests and scenic beauty. Visitors from across India, particularly young travelers from nearby districts, frequently camp in these areas, often lighting fires for cooking.
Unattended fires have devastating consequences, destroying vegetation and wildlife habitats. Many animals perish in the flames, while others, including bears and reptiles, are forced into human settlements, leading to an increase in attacks.
Shabir Ahmad Lone of Rampora expressed concern over the situation. “Wildfires are pushing wild animals into our villages, leading to dangerous encounters. Our village has already seen three bear attacks. There is also difficulty in extinguishing these fires due to inaccessible terrain,” he said.
“I have volunteered many times to help forest guards, but it’s impossible for them to control fires alone, especially in remote areas where fire trucks can’t reach,” Lone said.
To curb the rising incidents, the forest department, in collaboration with district authorities, is launching an awareness campaign starting February 15.
“We expected snowfall this winter, but due to another dry spell, the fire risk remains high. We are now initiating educational programs to prevent such incidents and protect our forests,” DFO Arya said.–(RK)
