Authorities caution people against venturing into forests amid increased fire incidents

Ganderbal, Jan 17: The authorities have asked people to avoid going into forests amid prolonged dry spell in the Valley and increasing forest fire incidents during the past few weeks.

An official said that people should avoid going to forests including wildlife protected areas as the forest fires are taking place due to human interference as well. At many places the forest department officials used public address systems and announcements were made in mosques to caution people about avoiding going to forests amid the increasing number of forest fire incidents.

Official sources said that amid unusual and prolonged dry spell in the Kashmir Valley, the Wildlife Department has banned unauthorised entry into the forests and wildlife protected Areas.

The department has asked people not to make unauthorised entry for any kind of activities in the forests, particularly Wildlife Protected Areas falling under its jurisdictions. The entry has been banned particularly in Brane, Nishat Conservation Reserve, Dachigam National Park, Dara Conservation Reserve, Khrew/Khanmoh Conservation Reserve, Wangath Conservation Reserve and Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary.