J&K Forest dept issues advisory amid scorching heat wave

Srinagar, May 27: In response to the ongoing severe heat wave, the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has issued a stern advisory urging the public to refrain from venturing into forest areas and to avoid kindling any fires. This precautionary measure aims to prevent forest fires and mitigate damage to the region’s vital green cover.
For the past few weeks, Jammu and Kashmir have been experiencing unprecedented high temperatures, exacerbating the risk of forest fires. Areas such as the Ganderbal District have seen residents, including women and men, entering forests to collect dry firewood and coal for the upcoming winter season.
Local sources report that individuals sometimes light fires within forested areas, which has occasionally resulted in fires that damage the “green gold” of the region—its trees.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sindh Range in Ganderbal, Danish Khan told Rising Kashmir, “the collection of coal and wood, especially if done illegally, is always prohibited. Given the current heat wave, it is crucial for everyone to avoid entering forests and igniting any form of fire. Anyone found lighting fires in these areas will face legal action.”
Khan emphasised the importance of protecting forests, stating, “Forests are our natural resources, and it is our collective responsibility to safeguard them from any form of damage.”
The advisory underscores the critical need for public cooperation to protect the forests during this period of extreme heat, which poses a significant threat to the region’s environmental health and safety.