Kashmir is Burning—And It's Not Just Climate Change to Blame

J&K Forest Minister Javed Ahmad Rana recently told the Assembly that as many as 1,243 forest fires Were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the 2024-25 financial year, more than double than the previous fiscal year, but almost identical compared to 2022-23.

- Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat

During the last few weeks there has been a sudden surge in forest fires which is unusual, especially in the month of March or April. These incidents take place in dry weather, usually in autumn or early winter, when there is no snowfall or rains in the forest areas. People involved in charcoal-making during fall were earlier blamed for causing forest fires, but this trend has changed now.

Now, the picnic-goers and local youth are alleged sparkplugs. Some deliberately cause fire for sadistic pleasure, while others torch camp-fires, cook and roast meat in the forest for fun. Their recklessness damages our green gold.

Most of these wildfires are ground-ed--consuming only grass and bushes. This was, in fact, Forest Minister's recent reply to BJP MLA from Udhampur in the Legislative Assembly.

The minister said a total of 1553 incidents of forest fire were reported, covering an area of 2774.213 hectares, in the 2022-23 financial year, but the number dropped to 607 over an area of 987.24 hectares in 2023-24.

But the intensity of fresh forest fires is likely to surpass the financial year, if necessary precautions are not taken.

It's important to note that in the current financial year till March 19, the number of forest fires was 1243, impacting an area of 3503.70 hectares. Forest fire and its mitigation has to be a top priority for the government and budgetary allocation to the Forest Department needs to be enhanced. Omar Abdullah Government's assurance in this regard is worth noted.