ANANTNAG: South Kashmir is facing an unprecedented crisis as forest fires continue to devastate the region, with multiple fire incidents reported in the past week alone. This surge comes amid a broader crisis throughout Jammu and Kashmir, where a staggering 94 forest fires have been reported in just the last 12 days.
Forest fires are tearing through the forests of South Kashmir - across districts like Anantnag, Kokernag, and Tral. What initially seemed like scattered and isolated incidents in areas such as Shangus and Gawran has now snowballed into a full-blown crisis, with over 20 fire events reported in Anantnag district alone.
Fires have also been reported in Dadoo Marhama in Anantnag, Dachnipora near Pahalgam, and Khuwripora in Aishmuqam, affecting compartments 17, 21, 22, 50, and 58.
The blazes have significantly damaged the green cover in numerous areas including Budroo, Sallar, Kullar, Dehvatoo, Mawoora, Grendwan, Reshkobal, Hapatnad, Wajoora, and Pendobal. In Kokernag, fires continue to rage in compartments 63 and 64, while a fire in Compartment 34V, Check Watoo Block in Vasho Range, Kulgam, has been contained after intensive efforts.
Anantnag district has recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Srinagar districts. The Lidder, Kokernag, Shangus, and Tral forest divisions in south Kashmir have suffered extensive damage to green their tree cover.
Even the Zabarwan range of forests in Srinagar has experienced frequent fire incidents, with a recent blaze near Ishber locality causing panic among residents. The intensity of that fire was so great that it was visible from Srinagar's outskirts.
Fire-Control and Causes
While the forest department claims that 18 of the 20 fires in Anantnag have been brought under control, local testimonies tell a different story. Several compartments — Pendobal, Wajoora, Badura, and sections of the Lidder Valley — continue to burn, quietly smouldering beneath the surface. Residents in these areas say the firefighting response has been sluggish and uncoordinated, leaving them to fend for themselves.
“The flames were visible from across the valley even during the night. It wasn’t a minor fire,” said Junaid Ahmad, a resident of Guridraman. “We had to form bucket chains, soaking blankets and using them to protect our orchards. It was two days before the firefighting teams arrived.”
Simultaneous fires erupting in hard-to-reach zones like Hallan and Tangwani have given rise to suspicions about their cause. The near-identical timing has raised eyebrows.
"Massive forest fires have erupted in Tral due to dry vegetation, spreading to Pinglish and other areas," a senior forestry official stated.
However, locals are sceptical of official claims about dry climate conditions being the cause alone and are seeking a probe.
“This isn’t just coincidence,” said local journalist Asif Shafi. “There’s a pattern to how and where these fires started. It could be negligence, but there’s also a possibility of deliberate action. The worst part is that there hasn’t been a thorough investigation into past incidents either.”
A resident of Hallan, who requested anonymity, voiced his frustration and doubt: “These forests are off-limits to regular tourists or campers. So who’s starting these fires? We keep blaming carelessness, but something deeper might be going on. Someone needs to look into it properly.”
The public is left grappling with tough questions: How did so many fires break out in such distant and difficult terrains around the same time? Have authorities ever seriously looked into the origins of these fires? What concrete measures are in place to prevent such disasters in the future?
A Department Undermanned and Underequipped
Forest department officials admit they are fighting a losing battle — short on manpower, equipment, and infrastructural support.
“Our teams often have to walk for hours carrying rakes and beaters on their backs,” said Divisional Forest Officer Mudasir Mehmood. “Most of these forest compartments don’t have proper roads. Communication is poor, the terrain is tough, and we’re basically battling fire with primitive tools.”
The dry pine needles that blanket these forests act like fuel, especially in sloped areas, turning a spark into a sweeping blaze. Although the Forest Survey of India sends satellite alerts, getting teams on the ground in time remains a major hurdle.
“We’ve suggested using drones and small fire tenders, but budget constraints stall every proposal,” Mehmood added. “Procurement takes time, and this terrain demands modern gear. Until we get that, we’re always playing catch-up.”
When asked if aerial firefighting—like the kind seen in fire-prone states such as Uttarakhand—could be an option, Mehmood responded, “No such measure has been implemented at our level.”
Still, some steps are being taken. The department is working on setting up Joint Control Rooms, acquiring fireproof uniforms, wireless communication tools, and offering specialized training to staff.
But environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat doesn’t mince words when it comes to the department’s preparedness. “They’re still using outdated methods. No drones. No firefighting vans. No regular patrolling. Technology hasn’t caught up here.”
Bhat also flagged the chronic shortage of staff. “Each forest block typically has just 5–10 workers, and most of them are on casual contracts. There’s hardly any permanent recruitment. Unless the government invests in both manpower and infrastructure, these fires will become a seasonal curse.”
He emphasized that awareness among locals is just as crucial. “Sometimes people go camping, light barbecues, and leave without properly extinguishing the fire. There have even been instances of people with mental health issues or personal vendettas setting fires deliberately. We need to regulate access to forests, run awareness campaigns in nearby villages, and hold people accountable when negligence or mischief is involved.”
And while the department continues to rely on sticks and rakes, observers wonder why more community-based volunteer efforts haven’t been organized.
“What systems, if any, are in place to penalize or prevent these incidents?” locals ask.
Impact on Wildlife and the Road Ahead
Despite the chaos, forest officials say the fires haven’t resulted in major wildlife casualties so far.
“These were mostly ground fires—dry grass, pine litter, that kind of stuff,” said Sohail Ahmad Wagay, Wildlife Warden South Kashmir. “Interestingly, such fires, if controlled, sometimes have a regenerative effect. The ash helps nourish the soil, and in the next season, better grass often grows.”
He added that wild animals instinctively flee to safer zones and that the fires, being patchy in nature, didn’t consume the entire forest belt.
Still, the department is staying vigilant. Patrolling has been stepped up, FIRs have been filed in areas where human involvement is suspected, and long-term plans are being drawn up—these include installing camera traps, building fire lines in high-risk zones, and increasing awareness in fringe villages.
Encouragingly, some youth in affected areas have stepped forward to help. “We’ve seen local youngsters join the firefighting efforts before,” DFO Mehmood said. “With a bit of training, they could be our first line of defense. Their involvement could make all the difference.”
Asif Shafi believes consistent media scrutiny and local education are critical. “We can’t just blame climate change. Yes, temperatures are rising, but that alone doesn’t explain fires erupting at the same time in restricted zones. That should set off alarm bells. We need serious investigation, and we need it now.”
A Call To Preserve Legacy
As Kashmir’s forests continue to face the heat, some voices from the ground are reminding the public of their deeper cultural and spiritual connection to these woods.
Sameer Siddiqui, an environmental and local activist who, along with his team of volunteers, has been helping the forest department combat the fires, invokes the spiritual legacy of forests in Kashmir and reminds of the words of wisdom by Nund Rishi, ‘Ann poshi teli yeli wann poshi’—which means, food is subservient to the preservation of forests.
That legacy, he says, should not go up in smoke.
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