Kupwara, Dec 17 (JKNS): The Karnah Valley has been witnessing a series of alarming forest fire incidents over the past several days, causing extensive damage to forest cover and raising serious concerns over environmental safety and administrative preparedness.
The most recent and severe incident occurred yesterday, when a large forest area stretching from Karanu Gabra to Turboni was engulfed in flames. Reports indicate that more than five forest fire incidents have been recorded in different parts of Karnah within a short span of time.
In view of the deteriorating situation, a meeting was convened today by the Civil Society Karnah to deliberate upon the recurring forest fires and their adverse impact on the environment and public health.
Addressing the meeting, Raja Waqar Khan, General Secretary, Civil Society Karnah, expressed serious concern over the continuous incidents and pointed towards gaps in prevention and enforcement mechanisms. He stated that the Forest Department is facing an acute shortage of field staff and lacks effective enforcement, which has severely hampered its ability to monitor forest areas and prevent such incidents. He further observed that the Fire and Emergency Services Department, responsible for the entire Karnah region, is inadequately equipped and understaffed to handle large-scale fire emergencies.
Raja Waqar Khan alleged that some individuals are deliberately setting forest areas on fire for personal benefit, particularly to obtain firewood during the winter season. He demanded that the Forest Department immediately identify and report such individuals to the police and ensure that strict legal action, including provisions of the Public Safety Act (PSA), is initiated against those found involved.
He also urged the authorities to strengthen the Forest Protection Force by establishing permanent chowkis (check posts) at vulnerable forest locations to prevent unauthorized entry and activities that may lead to forest fires.
Emphasizing the importance of community participation, the Civil Society appealed to Islamic scholars, lambardars, and chowkidars to play an active role in creating public awareness about the ecological, social, and moral importance of forests and the long-term consequences of their destruction.
Participants in the meeting highlighted that continuous forest fires have significantly degraded air quality in the valley, resulting in dense smoke and reduced visibility, which has adversely affected daily life and posed health risks, particularly for children, elderly persons, and patients suffering from respiratory ailments.
The Civil Society Karnah urged the district administration and higher authorities to take immediate cognizance of the issue, strengthen manpower and infrastructure in the Forest and Fire & Emergency Services Departments, and ensure accountability at all levels. They warned that failure to act promptly could lead to irreversible environmental damage and further endanger the well-being of the people of Karnah Valley. (JKNS)