The ongoing intense forest fires, which have now spread to several districts in Jammu and Kashmir, are posing massive threats to the region’s forest cover.
As per reports, several mines exploded due to a forest fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on Thursday, while fires also erupted in the forest areas of Samba and Jammu districts, officials said.
According to reports, locals allege that miscreants with some vested interests are purposely setting fires on the forest land. They urge the administration to take action against these individuals.
The law states, under Section 435 of the IPC, that mischief by fire or explosive substance intended to cause damage. If the act of setting fire damages property valued at Rs. 100 or more, it can lead to imprisonment for up to seven years and fines.
Subsequently, individuals found guilty of intentionally setting forest fires can be prosecuted under the IPC and the Forest Act.
Meanwhile, in Samba, a fire started in the Purmandal area and quickly spread to nearby villages, threatening several residential houses.
“The villagers alerted the administration, prompting them to send fire tenders to the area. The blaze was doused after several hours,” officials said.
According to officials, “several mines exploded due to the forest fire along the LoC in the forward area of Mankote in the Mendhar sub-sector of Poonch district.” The blaze started from across the LoC and spread to this side.
Similarly, in Jammu, a fire broke out in the Choki Chora area and spread to the adjoining areas of Chora, Khardoon, Padoon, Bamla, Keri, and Kandi, affecting several hectares of forest land.
Forest department officials and residents launched an operation to extinguish the flames, successfully bringing the fire under control after several hours. “There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in both incidents,” officials added.
Although the forest has been raging in Poonch and Rajouri for the past three days.
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