Environmental Crisis Unfolds in Kashmir – Massive forest fires in Tral, Anantnag, and Bandipora districts raise alarm over the valley’s worsening climate conditions. Experts warn of rising wildfire risks due to prolonged dry spells.
BY PC Bureau
Massive forest fires have erupted at multiple locations across Kashmir, prompting urgent firefighting efforts by disaster management teams, police, and local volunteers. Experts attribute the rising frequency of such incidents to a combination of climatic factors and human negligence.\
The fires began on Saturday night in the upper forests of Tral, where dry vegetation fueled the flames, allowing them to spread rapidly. A major fire was also reported in the Pinglish area of Tral, extending to nearby forested regions.
In South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a forest fire broke out in the Dadoo Marhama area, adding to the growing crisis. Officials in the region are making every effort to contain the flames before they spread further.
Meanwhile, in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, a massive fire erupted in Kunan village on Sunday evening. The blaze quickly engulfed vast stretches of forest land, raising concerns among local residents. “Thick plumes of smoke were visible from a distance,” locals reported as emergency teams rushed to the scene.
Forest fire in Tral at many places. We’ve been making all the efforts but we will need more support. @OmarAbdullah Sb, @OfficeOfLGJandK, @basharatias_dr Sb, @diprjk pic.twitter.com/dMmCP5xFDU
— Rafiq Ahmad Naik (@Rafiqahmadnaik) February 16, 2025
Fires were also reported in several other areas across Kashmir, including:
• Kupwara district, where dry conditions have made forests highly vulnerable.
• Baramulla district, where forest officials were alerted to new fire incidents.
• Shopian and Pulwama districts, where teams were deployed to prevent further spread.
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Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed concern over the fires and directed officials to take immediate action. “Our forests are our lifeline, and every effort must be made to control these fires swiftly. A high-level team has been formed to assess the damage and prevent further outbreaks,” he said.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti criticized the administration, calling the repeated fires a “failure of disaster preparedness.” “Forest fires in Kashmir are a growing concern. The government needs to invest in better fire management and preventive measures. Neglecting our environment will have devastating consequences,” she stated.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah echoed similar sentiments, urging the administration to act swiftly. “This is an environmental crisis. Immediate steps are needed to bring the fires under control and investigate whether negligence played a role,” he said.
In tral the forest has been burning continuously for two days, and there is no one to extinguish it. When people disobey Allah, then Allah sets fire to the seas and the forests. pic.twitter.com/OOsQ0lpuim
— ShaRag🇵🇸 (@IMShaRagKmr) February 16, 2025
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Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, assured that firefighting efforts were in full force. “Teams are working round the clock, and aerial firefighting options are being explored if necessary,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister (J&K) Javed Ahmad Rana acknowledged the link between climate change and the increasing number of wildfires. “The dry conditions in Kashmir this winter have created a high fire risk. We are formulating new strategies to prevent and tackle such disasters more effectively,” he said.
Dry Spell
Kashmir has witnessed an unusually dry winter, with minimal snowfall and rainfall. Srinagar and its surrounding areas saw only a couple of days of snowfall, while rain largely eluded the region. This prolonged dry spell has left forests highly susceptible to wildfires.
Forest fires are common in Jammu and Kashmir post-winter, especially along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and Rajouri sectors, where security forces sometimes trigger controlled burns to improve visibility. There have also been instances where both Indian and Pakistani forces have reportedly used fire as a diversionary tactic to facilitate movement or establish advanced posts. However, the current fires, occurring far from the LoC, have puzzled officials.
Firefighting Efforts Underway
The administration has deployed multiple teams to battle the blazes, while local volunteers have stepped in to help prevent further destruction. Officials are still assessing the extent of the damage, and firefighting operations are ongoing.
Authorities are urging residents to take precautions and report any signs of fire immediately, as the region remains vulnerable due to the ongoing dry spell. Experts warn that if the current weather conditions persist, the risk of further wildfires will continue to rise.
