Authorities launched an extensive firefighting operation as soon as reports of the blaze were received.
Suhail Ahmad, Wildlife Warden of the Forest Division Shopian, said that joint teams comprising personnel from the Wildlife Department, Forest Department, Social Forestry, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local residents were deployed to contain the fire.
“Nearly 95 percent of the fire has been brought under control,” Ahmad said, adding that the flames have caused significant damage to the region’s flora and fauna.
Officials have attributed the fire to prolonged dryness, which has left forested areas vulnerable to such incidents. While the exact extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, environmentalists fear that the fire may have impacted wildlife habitats and biodiversity in the affected regions.(KNT)
