It is really a matter of great concern that continuous dry spell in Jammu region has led to a wary situation where the chances of forest fires have increased manifold times and therefore it is necessary to take all the precautions starting from the very basic ones to the advanced to ensure that green gold and other forest wealth remains safe besides ensuring the safety of people dwelling near these patches of woodlands, which are susceptible to fire incidents due to extraordinary deficit in the rainfall in the region.
The vulnerability has been confirmed by none other than the authority meant for such disasters viz. the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), as reportedly it has issued a warning of a very high risk of forest fires in Jammu and Kashmir over the next seven days. The prolonged dry spell in the region has raised the probability of forest fire incidents, particularly in the Jammu region.
It is therefore advisable to take the warning very seriously and the stakeholders especially the Forest Department along with other local authorities should come up with a comprehensive plan to disseminate information among the masses dwelling near forests to keep extra care while moving in and near the forests because even a burning cigarette butt can prove disastrous under such alarming conditions therefore awareness regarding the warning is a must to stop any kind of manmade catastrophe.
As the NDMA has asked the people to dial 112 in case of fires in forests, those communities residing near forests should act responsibly and their representatives should remain in close contact with the concerned authorities especially during this week, which according to NDMA is the most susceptible for wildfires in the places having green gold in the UT.
Although traditionally the forests in J&K are not much vulnerable to fires but the risk escalates during prolonged dry periods, which is the case right now because many areas in the UT especially in Jammu region have been facing drought like situation in the last several months leading to a crucial situation with forest fires becoming ‘imminent’.
