Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 17: With forest fires raging amid a prolonged dry spell in Kashmir, massive blazes broke out today in multiple areas of south Kashmir’s Tral, including Gulshanpora, Panner, Nahwadi Pinglish, and Karmula. Authorities launched an extensive firefighting operation as soon as reports of the fires were received.
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Suhail Ahmad Wagay, Wildlife Warden of the Forest Division Shopian, said joint teams comprising personnel from the Wildlife Department, Forest Department, Social Forestry, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local residents were deployed to contain the flames.
“Nearly 95 percent of the fire has been brought under control,” he said, adding that while the flames have damaged the grass cover, it is not a serious concern.
Later in the evening, forest fires were also reported from the Seer Jagir and Panzoo areas of Tral.
Wagay noted that in Pinglish, the fire was doused earlier but reignited, prompting the concerned department to take necessary action.
“The fire was not massive; only the grass cover was destroyed, which, in some ways, is beneficial. Since this area is close to town, the situation was unnecessarily exaggerated,” he added.
The Warden attributed the forest fires to the ongoing dry spell but assured that the necessary firefighting equipment is in place.
Nearly 50 volunteers from the NGO ‘Al-Khidmat’ from Dadsara also assisted the departments in dousing the flames.
While the exact extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, authorities have stated that there is no cause for concern.
However, environmentalists fear that the fires may have impacted wildlife habitats and biodiversity in the affected areas.
Notably, a forest fire was also reported a few days ago on Shankaracharya Hill in Srinagar, followed by another incident in the Kunan area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora a day before.
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