Amid rising temperatures and heightened forest fire risks across Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level meeting with top officials from the Forest Department, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Disaster Management representatives to review proactive measures to protect the Union Territory's forest cover—referred to as its "green gold."
Addressing the meeting, Dulloo highlighted that out of J&K’s nearly 5000 sq km of dense forests, around 1000 sq km are vulnerable to fire. He directed Deputy Commissioners to regularly review fire mitigation plans and ensure quick response once alerts are received from the ground.
To strengthen on-ground efforts, the Chief Secretary stressed the need to register more local volunteers, particularly SHG members and Anganwadi workers who are widely present in forest-adjacent communities. He suggested provisions for relief and compensation in case of injury or loss of life among volunteers performing such duties.
He also called for an intensified public outreach campaign, emphasizing popularisation of helpline numbers, and proposed a centralized social media platform for real-time forest fire reporting and coordination.
Forest Fire Mapping & Strategy
Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Sheetal Nanda, presented an overview of recent strategic initiatives, including the 2021 Forest Fire Vulnerability Mapping based on Forest Survey of India (FSI) data. This mapping is currently guiding targeted fire management plans.
PCCF (HoF) Suresh Kumar Gupta shared a breakdown of vulnerability categories:
Very Highly Fire Prone: 270.11 sq km
Highly Fire Prone: 890.62 sq km
Moderately Fire Prone: 1244.13 sq km
Less Fire Prone: 19203.80 sq km
Gupta attributed most fires to human activities—such as burning crop residues and carelessly discarded smoking materials—though natural causes like lightning and rolling stones during dry spells also contribute.
Firefighting Infrastructure & Community Engagement
Key preventive steps being implemented include:
Creation and maintenance of fire lines
Controlled burning to reduce combustible material
Satellite-based early warning systems like FSI’s Van Agni
Deployment of 85 Joint Forest Fire Control Rooms
Distribution of firefighting tools (beaters, sprayers, rake hoes)
Training programmes, mock drills, and active involvement of Village Forest Committees (VFCs), Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), and school awareness drives are also underway to build community resilience.
Dulloo emphasized that climate patterns and increasing dry spells necessitate a united, timely, and well-equipped approach to forest protection. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to protect J&K’s forest heritage through robust planning and community participation.
