The reported decline in forest fire incidents in Jammu and Kashmir during 2025-26 is a positive development, but it also reminds us that forest protection must remain a continuous priority. According to the government’s submission before the National Green Tribunal, 926 forest fire incidents were reported across the Union Territory during the financial year 2025-26, affecting around 2,105.57 hectares of forest land. This is nearly 300 fewer incidents than the previous financial year, when 1,243 forest fire incidents were recorded in 2024-25, causing damage to about 3,503.70 hectares of forest area.
This reduction is encouraging and indicates that preventive measures, field preparedness, and institutional response have had some positive impact. At the same time, the figures show that forest fires continue to remain a serious environmental concern. The J&K Forest Department has informed the Tribunal that the affected area is less than 1 per cent of the total recorded forest area of 20,19,400 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir. While this proportion may appear limited, every hectare of forest has ecological value, especially in a sensitive Himalayan region where forests support biodiversity, water security, soil stability, climate balance, and local livelihoods. The department has also pointed out that most forest fires in Jammu and Kashmir are ground fires in nature and that more than 95 per cent of the incidents are man-made, while some are accidental. This is an important observation because it shows that the problem is not only linked to weather and climate conditions but also to human behaviour. Negligence, careless burning, avoidable activities near forest areas, and lack of awareness can easily trigger fires, particularly during dry periods. At the same time, changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and prolonged dry spells have increased the vulnerability of forests to fire outbreaks over the years. Jammu and Kashmir has adopted the National Action Plan on Forest Fires issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. The Union Territory is also among the few states and union territories that have carried out forest fire risk zonation mapping and vulnerability assessment studies. These are important scientific steps because they help identify vulnerable forest belts and improve planning, monitoring, and quick response. The Forest Department has already submitted a long-term action plan of 20 years, covering the period from 2018-19 to 2037-38, to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. This plan involves an estimated requirement of Rs 154 crore and is aimed at strengthening forest fire prevention and management over the long term. For 2025-26, an annual plan of operations worth Rs 350 lakh was submitted, against which approval of Rs 245.51 lakh was granted. However, only Rs 27.71 lakh has been released so far, which highlights the need for timely financial support to ensure effective ground-level implementation. The department has framed Standard Operating Procedures for officials involved in the prevention, monitoring, and management of forest fire incidents. Clear responsibilities have been assigned to ensure prompt action during emergencies. Preventive measures such as controlled burning and the creation of fire lines are being undertaken in vulnerable forest areas of both the Jammu and Kashmir regions. So far, 1,133 kilometers of fire lines have been created and maintained, while around 22,000 quintals of dry biomass, pine needles, cones, and other inflammable material have been removed to reduce fire risk. To strengthen fire-season preparedness, 223 fire control rooms are functioning round the clock across divisions, and around 1,500 Forest Protection Force personnel have been deployed for 24×7 duties. For 2026-27, an outlay of Rs 485.04 lakh has been proposed under the Protection from Fire component. In addition, more than 60 training and awareness programs involving local communities have been organized this year.
These measures deserve appreciation, but the challenge demands continued attention. Since a major share of fires is human-induced, community awareness must be strengthened further. Residents, students, panchayats, tourists, and forest-dependent communities should be made active partners in prevention. Jammu and Kashmir’s forests are a precious natural inheritance. Protecting them requires scientific planning, timely funding, strong field response, and responsible public participation.