Srinagar, April 04: Amid growing concerns over the increasing incidents of forest fires across the Kashmir Valley, the Forest Department convened a high-level meeting today at Sheikhbagh Forest Complex, Srinagar, under the chairmanship of Tawheed Ahmad Deva, Conservator of Forests, Srinagar Circle.
The meeting brought together key officials, including the Joint Director of the Forest Protection Force, all Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) of Srinagar Circle, Deputy Directors of the Forest Protection Force, and Wildlife Wardens of Kashmir Region. The discussion primarily focused on recent fire outbreaks in various forest divisions, their underlying causes, and the urgent need for enhanced prevention and mitigation strategies. Officials outlined a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the crisis, which includes—round-the-clock fire control rooms—all forest fire control rooms across Kashmir will operate 24/7 in coordination with the Forest Department, Forest Protection Force and Wildlife Protection Department, ensuring a swift response to fire incidents.
The department will intensify public education efforts to highlight fire safety protocols and preventive measures. Officials will deploy enhanced monitoring mechanisms to detect fire hazards at an early stage. The department has vowed stringent penalties against individuals found responsible for starting forest fires, ensuring strict enforcement under forest protection laws. Emphasising the critical role of community participation, conservator of forests Tawheed Ahmad Deva urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any signs of fire immediately. “The protection of our forests is not just a duty of the authorities, but a collective responsibility. We urge the public to cooperate in preventing wildfires and safeguarding our natural heritage,” he said. With the rising frequency of forest fires posing a severe threat to Kashmir’s rich biodiversity, the Forest Department is committed to strengthening its firefighting capabilities while engaging local communities in conservation efforts.
