Khatana concerned over forest fire incidents

Jammu, May 29: Senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Gulam Ali Khatana Wednesday said that increasing forest fire incidents in Jammu and Kashmir were a matter of grave concern.

Khatana was interacting with a group of deputations of tribal people at his official residence wherein the deputation members raised the issues concerning their livelihood and made a special mention about the forest fires.

“Not only animals and plants survive due to forests but a good number of people belonging to tribal communities also drive their livelihood by grazing their livestock and cattle in these forests,” Khatana said.

He said that there was a very old relation between the tribal Gujjars-Bakarwals and forests and both were interdependent on one another for very many things.

“The concerned Forest and Wildlife Department should take serious steps to prevent forest fires as many important and rare species of animals and plants are lost in these forests,” the BJP leader said.

Khatana said, “The livestock and other cattle with tribal people graze dry grass and fallen leaves in forests. This reduces chances of forest fires.”

“Preventing these people from grazing their cattle in forests means playing a role in burning forests,” the Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) said.

He also said that the tribals also need to take special care of forests and update the forest guards on incidents of even minor forests to prevent the same from becoming a massive blaze.

“The concerned Forest department should also increase its vigil and press more forest guards into service to avoid forest fires,” Khatana maintained, adding, “The Fire and Emergency Service Department should also remain alert and in ready to act position to press its men into service immediately on getting information about such forest fires so that the green gold can be saved at all costs.”