A significant fire engulfed the forest area in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, creating a challenging situation for local authorities. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in the Banimullah region of Kulgam, prompting a rapid response from the forest department.
Officials confirmed that a team of forest department fire tenders promptly rushed to the affected area to bring the wildfire under control. As of the latest reports, efforts to contain the fire are ongoing.
Forest fires pose a recurring challenge in the region, with a total of 4578 incidents reported in Jammu and Kashmir over the past decade. Official documents from 2021 revealed that, on average, 1273 hectares of land are impacted annually due to these incidents.
Ranger Officer D.H. Pora Arooq Ah Shah and Ranger Officer Kulgam Suhail Ah Wani highlighted that the recent fire incidents were reported in Pranhal, Chimber, Banimullah, and Gujjar Basti areas of the south Kashmir district during the evening. Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, they reported that 70% of the fire has already been brought under control.
While appreciating the ongoing efforts, they emphasized the need to maintain vigilance and continue the firefighting endeavors to ensure effective control over the remaining 30%. The collaboration between the forest department and local authorities remains crucial in addressing and mitigating the impact of such incidents in the region.

