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🇮🇳 India /Environment & Climate

J&K's Rajouri records over 100 forest fire incidents, 850 hectares impacted

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir has recorded over 100 forest fire incidents this season, impacting approximately 850 hectares of forest land.
  • The fires are fueled by a heatwave, dry weather, and the presence of highly flammable Chir pine forests.
  • The forest department is using technology for early detection but faces challenges in reaching remote areas due to difficult terrain and lack of road connectivity.

Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district is grappling with an alarming number of forest fires this season, with over 100 incidents reported and an estimated 850 hectares of forest land affected. Sat Pal, Conservator of Forests for the West Circle Rajouri, highlighted the ongoing challenges on Sunday.

Whenever a forest fire incident occurs, try to extinguish it immediately. The initial few minutes are the most critical.

— Sat PalUrging people to exercise caution and report fires promptly.

The fires are exacerbated by the current heatwave and dry weather conditions, combined with the prevalence of highly inflammable Chir pine forests in the region. Pal emphasized the critical nature of the initial minutes of a fire, urging the public to exercise extreme caution, especially during the summer months.

"Whenever a forest fire incident occurs, try to extinguish it immediately. The initial few minutes are the most critical," Pal told ANI. He appealed to residents and travelers to be vigilant and avoid discarding items like bidis or cigarettes, which can easily ignite the dry vegetation. Promptly alerting authorities is crucial for preventing the spread of flames.

If you encounter a fire, try to contain it right away and inform the department.

— Sat PalAppealing to residents for assistance in preventing the spread of flames.

The forest department is increasingly leveraging technology for early detection, receiving location coordinates and fire alerts directly from the Forest Survey of India. However, the rugged and hilly terrain of Rajouri, with limited road access in many remote areas, presents a significant challenge in reaching the affected sites quickly to control the fires.

We are receiving significant help from technology for detection.

— Sat PalHighlighting the use of technology for early detection of forest fires.

Pal noted that while efforts are made to minimize damage to wildlife habitats and bird nests, some harm is unavoidable due to the nature of the fires and weather conditions. The department remains committed to protecting forest resources and seeks public cooperation to combat the growing threat.

The real challenge lies in reaching the site and bringing the fire under control, particularly because some remote areas lack road accessibility.

— Sat PalDescribing the difficulties faced in accessing fire-affected areas.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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