GANDERBAL|ARHAMA: Wildfires have destroyed an area of forest stretching several kilometers in Arhama area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Eyewitnesses said that massive wildfires have destroyed an area of forest stretching several kilometers in Arhama belt just Eight KM away from District Forest office Ganderbal. The flames causing extensive damage to flora and fauna. “Flames of the fire could be seen from a long distance and the temperature of the area has increased,” they said.

They believe that the fires were sparked by making charcoal there ' a series of similar wildfire incidents in past and now have destroyed a large forest area in Central Kashmir' making charcoal is the leading cause of forest fire in Ahrama range. In each winter season wildfires destroy hundred acres of forests to the ground. Forest fire that has been raging in Arhama area of central Kashmir for the past two days has thus far claimed hundreds of green trees in the area.

Forest Grabbers continue to destroy the green gold' precious treasure into Arhama Kangan forest compartments, where precious forest wealth is falling prey to fires during last two days, the sky remains almost covered with toxic smoke. Thus it seems forest department having inadequate facilities to monitor and control forest grabbers in area or to control fires in such areas' with its limited manpower these grabbers setting forests on fire for their personal benefit, precious flora and fauna of the area worth lacs of rupees is getting reduced to ashes during these days in area.