Imagine Jammu and Kashmir without forests; visualise images of desert in mind! It is a stark reality that we are fast losing deodar, kail and fir trees due to prolonged dry weather, higher temperatures and mainly due to increasing human activities.

Felling of trees for construction of roads and laying of transmission lines have taken a heavy toll on forests and is seen as one of major contributors of erratic weather patterns in J&K. As this was not enough, forest fires triggered by prolonged dry spell are posing serious threat to the green treasure.

It is alarming that 310 cases of forest fires have been reported in the last 10 months—affecting more than 880 hectares across J&K. The Sindh Forest Division reported the highest number of incidents, with 67 fire incidents damaging 111.06 hectares, Kamraj followed with 52 incidents affecting 67.90 hectares, Anantnag recorded 37 fires damaging 60.25 hectares while Bandipora reported 29 incidents, impacting 60.35 hectares, Lidder reported 25 incidents, damaging 110.95 hectares respectively. Kulgam Forest division was worst-hit with 22 fire incidents affecting 307.85 hectares, the highest in Kashmir. Tangmarg and Kehmil divisions reported 18 incidents each, damaging 36.05 hectares and 43.55 hectares, respectively.

The Jammu Vigilance Forest (JVF) Division recorded 16 incidents affecting 41.21 hectares, while Awantipora reported nine incidents damaging 30.70 hectares. Shopian,........

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