Advisory issued amid rising forest fires in Tangmarg
SHAKEELA ANDRABI
TANGMARG: Due to prolonged dry spell in the Valley, forest fires were reported in different forest circles of Kashmir, causing damage to trees and bushes.
Apart from high day temperatures and dry riverbeds, the prolonged dry spell has also left the Kashmir Valley battling with forest fires in winter season.
In response to the growing threat of forest fires in Central Kashmir’s Pir Panajal forest areas, authorities have issued a comprehensive advisory urging the public to restrict their presence in forest areas and cooperate with preventive measures.
Divisional Forest Officer Special Forest Division Tangmarg and SPSP Range Beerwah Budgam issued Preventive Measures for the general public to mitigate the risk of forest fires.
Talking to STATE TIMES, the Range Officer of the SPSP Range Beerwah told that in every forest division ,the guards keep vigil round the clock on any smoke and have even sought help from locals to bring any incident of forest fire in their notice.
Though the fires were brought under control by alert teams of the Forest Department, the ground staff is praying for rain and snowfall that could put stop to these.
Officials say that the administration has provided latest fire extinguishers and fire-fighting equipment to the Forest Protection Force and field officers, with which we are trying to control the forest fires in just seconds and in addition , all the ground force are doing their best to protect the forests.
“We are not allowing any leniency for those who come to the forests to collect wood or come to graze the animals as this can be harmful to the forests in the current dry season, not only senior officers but ground staff has been asked to remain extra vigilant but in some places we have received reports that many miscreants are trying to violate our instructions but the administration and forest department decided, if anybody is found involved in the forest fire ,case will be registered against him under Forest Protection Act,” he added.
Official say that some fires spread while making charcoal in forests.
“There is a notion among villagers after bush fire there are chance of good production of herbs and mashrooms,so villagers lit fire deliberately. Due to dryness it spreads in different compartments, said a forest officer.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been implemented to control and prevent significant losses to local biodiversity. Collaborative efforts, involving Forest Department, District Disaster Management Authority, Fire and Emergency Services, and the local community are underway to promptly control fire incidences, he said.
The officials told that the department has installed watch towers and elevated points are strategically used for early detection of forest fires. In case of exigency, people have been asked to contac, Showket of Kuthoo (DFO Special Forest Division Tangmarg 7006161280),Altaf Hussain Khan Forester (I/C control Room Gulmarg Range Tangmarg and Farooq Ahmad Bhat Incharge Range Officer Contact number: 8491844483, Forest Control Room SPSP Range Beerwah Peer Iftkhar Qadri I/C Range Officer has been designated for the said purpose with contact number 9906663796.
The people have been urged to remain vigilant, prepared, and supportive, ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in the Forest Range Tangmarg and Beerwah.