Wildfires sparked by dry spell, human activity engulf J&K forests 

Fire breaks out in the bushes of Dodamarg and Nagpathri forests, in Pulwama, J&K, Saturday, April 5, 2025.
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Amidst a protracted dry spell, forests in Jammu and Kashmir continue to go up in smoke, raising serious concerns about the region’s preparedness to tackle wildfires. The raging blazes have affected vast tracts of forest land, devouring hundreds of acres of green cover.

Official data reveal that 1,276 forest fires were reported in 2024, affecting 3,551 hectares of forest land in the region. 

Between February 2025 to March, 91 wildfire incidents were reported from different forest areas of Jammu and Kashmir. 

According to government data presented during the recently concluded Budget session, 127 forest fires were recorded in the first week of April, damaging 174 hectares of forest land.

The Forest Survey of India’s 2023 report sheds light on the varying degrees of wildfire vulnerability across Jammu and Kashmir’s forested regions. According to data cited by the government, 270.11 sq. km (1.25 per cent ) of the total forest area is classified as very highly fire-prone, 890.62 sq. km (4.12 per cent ) as highly fire-prone, and 1,244.13 sq. km (5.76 per cent ) as moderately fire-prone. The majority—19,203.80 sq. km (88.87 per cent )—is considered less fire-prone. 

Causes

A long-drawn-out dry spell during the peak winter months marked by a precipitation deficit of nearly 80 percent is considered a major factor driving the ongoing wildfires in the region.

However, anthropogenic factors have also been identified as significant contributors to the surge in forest fires. 

Intisar Suhail, Wildlife Warden at Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K told businessline that people, who venture into forests to search for gucchi mushrooms burn fire cause forest fires. 

“Additionally, pastoralists also burn dry grass to encourage the growth of fresh fodder for their livestock also spark wildfires,” he said. 

Damage to forests, wildlife

Experts say that forest blazes in Kashmir are typically ground fires and cause minimal damage to standing green trees. 

“We don’t have Chir Pine here, which due to their high resin content, are more prone to fires,” said Suhail. Alleviating concerns about the impact on wildlife, he added that while ground fires could affect nesting birds, the damage is likely to be minimal as the breeding season is yet to begin. 

However, environmentalists have raised concerns over the carbon emissions resulting from these fires. “Such emissions could worsen air quality and have broader detrimental impacts on the environment,” said one environmentalist.

Challenges

Controlling the wildfires at times prove to be a major challenge for the authorities. 

A forest official said that many of the affected forest areas are located in rugged and inaccessible terrains, making firefighting operations extremely difficult. 

“In such areas, fire extinguishers, fireballs, beaters, and blowers are being deployed to douse the flames”, said the official. 

Published on April 10, 2025