Adil Lateef
Srinagar, Jan 27: The Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Neeraj Kumar, has ordered probe into forest fires in Khrew area of the district where locals allege that Cement Factory owners are behind these fires.
The DC ordered the probe after locals of the area called on him and alleged that cement factories owners are behind the forest fires in the area. The DC told Excelsior that he has ordered a probe and sought a report from Tehsildar. “We will ascertain the facts and will act accordingly. Besides after getting report, I will constitute a committee as well. I am seriously looking into the matter,” said the DC.
On the evening of January 24, the locals of the Khrew spotted fire in the Sotubal Bajnaro forest area and subsequently they started dousing fire along with Forest officials. The forests of the Khrew are rich with Pine trees which are locally called ‘Ka’weur’. Locals said the forest fire continued till late hours and finally was brought under control. However, on January 25, the fire again erupted in Badalaw forest area of the Khrew and the locals along with Forest officials rushed to douse the blaze. The blaze consumed several Pine trees and was controlled completely on the evening of January 26 after light to moderate rain lashed the region.
Locals told Excelsior that the incidents of the fire in the Khrew woods are not new but have been occurring since last four years. Keeping in view the intermittent fire incident, the locals have constituted a committee namely ‘Eco-forest committee’ which rushes to woods in case of the blaze and assist Forest officials. The locals allege the owners of the cement factories in Khrew are behind all these fire incidents and alleged that ‘no official dares to touch them as they are highly influential’.
“The Khrew forests are being devastated by these cement factories. These factory owners are behind all these fire incidents. The mountains of the Khrew are being turned naked by burning down trees. Once they wipe out trees from these mountains then it becomes easy for them to resort to mining. The mountains of the Khrew are full of lime stone,” a local said.
As of now, there are nearly 12 cement factories operating in Khrew. The cement factories are becoming a cause of nuisance for the local and wild life habitation because of high level pollution, dust and blasts. The environmentalists have termed the Khrew cement factories as major threat to the ecosystem there.
Confirming the eruption of fire, a senior official of the Forest Department said the blaze was brought under control with the active help of locals. He, however, refused to divulge further details.
Follow our WhatsApp channel