Fayaz Hameed
Kupwara: A large fire that erupted in the Kamraj forest division of Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, has been successfully contained. The blaze broke out in the NH 81 block of the Manigah forests, located within the Kamraj Forest Division Kupwara. Forest officials, along with the Forest Protection Force (FPF) and locals responded swiftly to the incident.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kamraj, Anurag Arya, IFS, stated that nearly 90% of the fire has been extinguished due to the combined efforts of frontline staff, FPF officials, and local residents. In Kupwara there were fires at four locations within the Kamraj Forest Division, but the major fire in the NH 81 block was brought under control after five days.
Last week, a person was booked for igniting a forest fire in the Kalaroose area, and an FIR number 0163/2024 was lodged against the individual. Arya emphasized that setting fire to forests or encouraging such activities is a punishable offense, warning that violators will face severe consequences.
The DFO urged the public to avoid actions that threaten forest ecosystems, marking the first recorded instance where an individual has been charged for this crime.
