KUPWARA: Authorities have been acting as mute spectators as priceless trees in Lolab Forest in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district is in flames from past three days. No measures according to locals have been taken to put out the fire that has engulfed Compartment Number 80 of Lolab in Zangli Forest Range.
Locals told news agency CNS that Lolab forests have faced maximum brunt as in this Kamraj Divison where fire have erupted dozens of times in the past consuming thousands of trees. “Fire has engulfed vast area of forests that includes North Lolab compartment-80. Forest Department is in slumber and no efforts are being made to douse the fire that has turned priceless trees and herbs into ashes,” they said.
“We have been continuously informing the Forest authorities; however, no heed is being made to our repeated pleas. Still the compartment-80 is in flames and ironically not a single official from the department is present there to assess the situation and control the fire,” said the locals. When contacted a top forest official who wished not to be named said that all resources will be utilized to douse the fire.