Jammu Tawi, June 10:
Expressing serious concern over the alarming rise in forest fires across Jammu and Kashmir, the Environment Awareness Forum (EAF) has called for strict enforcement of legal provisions that mandate community participation in preventing and controlling forest fires.
Bhushan Parimoo, President of the Environment Awareness Forum, said that villages failing to cooperate in forest fire prevention and suppression efforts should be placed on a “negative list” and temporarily denied certain developmental benefits as a deterrent. He argued that such measures would reinforce the statutory obligations of local communities under the Village Forest Concessions and the Indian Forest Act, which require public assistance in safeguarding forest resources.
Parimoo observed that forest fires have become more frequent and intense over the past two decades, with incidents reportedly doubling in many regions. The current spell of extreme heat, prolonged dry weather, and human negligence has further heightened the risk of devastating wildfires across Jammu and Kashmir.
He stressed that the growing threat demands a shift from a purely reactive firefighting approach to a proactive forest fire management strategy. Experts worldwide now advocate integrated fire-management systems focused on prevention, early detection, community participation, and ecological restoration rather than merely responding after fires break out.
“Uncontrolled wildfires are causing extensive ecological damage, destroying biodiversity, degrading soil quality, and increasing carbon emissions,” Parimoo said. “Human activities, including careless burning practices and negligence, continue to be major contributors to these disasters.”
The EAF President highlighted that effective forest fire management depends upon a coordinated framework involving the administration, forest department, disaster management authorities, and local communities. While the Deputy Commissioner serves as the highest administrative authority in a district and is empowered to coordinate large-scale disaster response involving the police, forest, and fire services, visible field-level leadership during prolonged forest fire incidents has often remained lacking.
“Leadership during emergencies is critical. Forest fire management cannot succeed without active monitoring, inter-departmental coordination, and on-ground supervision by senior officials,” he said.
Parimoo also criticized the functioning of the Seasonal Forest Fire Watcher system, describing it as largely ineffective due to inadequate training, poor monitoring, and irregular implementation. He emphasized that fire watchers must undergo regular mock drills and practical firefighting training before each fire season.
The Forum further recommended the installation of modern fire detection infrastructure, including strategically located fire watcher towers and observation posts in vulnerable forest zones. Such facilities, manned by trained personnel, can help detect smoke and fire outbreaks at an early stage, enabling rapid response and minimizing damage.
The EAF stressed that responsibility for preventing forest fires rests equally with the administration and local communities. Any negligence on either side should invite action under the relevant provisions of law.
Reiterating the ecological significance of forests, Parimoo said that protecting forest ecosystems is essential for preserving biodiversity, maintaining ecological balance, mitigating climate change, conserving water resources, and ensuring clean air for future generations.
“Forest protection is not merely a departmental responsibility; it is a collective duty. Unless both authorities and citizens discharge their responsibilities with seriousness and accountability, the recurring menace of forest fires will continue to threaten Jammu and Kashmir’s invaluable natural heritage,” he added.
