The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — As per the satellite images by Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), a joint effort by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the USDA Forest Service, there were 8 forest fires in Kashmir and nearly 50 in Jammu region during the last 24 hours.

As per the available details, most of the forest fires are still in an active status.

It is pertinent to mention here that during the last 15 days, J-K witnessed more than 100 forest fires.

Experts say the main reason can be the ongoing dry spell. However, the forest fires may come down as some rain activity is expected in the coming days.

J&K recorded 80% rain deficit in March this year: MeT

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir received large deficient rain (<-80%) due to the absence of any strong western disturbance, a meteorological department official said.

“Jammu city received only 2.1 mm against normal of 68 mm (96%) and Srinagar city received 21.3 mm of rainfall as against normal of 117.6 mm (81.88%).” This is not the first time that below normal rainfall was recorded in J&K, he said.

“As a result of the absence of any strong western disturbance and stable atmosphere, the weather remained fair and mainly clear on most occasions which led to early onset of Spring and above normal temperature compared to last few years,” he said in a statement.

He said the mean temperature in Jammu city in March this year was 23.3 ℃ which is quite high but not unusual as the mean temperature even touched 24 ℃ in 2004 and 2010. “Mean temperature in Srinagar city in March 2022 was 13.7 ℃ which is quite high but not unusual as mean temperature touched 13.6 and 13.7 ℃ in 2004 and 2010 also in Srinagar,” he said.

The weatherman has also forecast a brief spell of light rain on April 13 and 14 at scattered places.

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SRINAGAR — Revealing large scale irregularities in Forest Division Shopian, locals have demanded Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe looting and irregularities taking place in the division.

Reliable sources told CNS that the forests under the Shopian and Romshi range have been brought to the brink of complete destruction. The market for loot is hot in the compartments which come under Shopian and Romshi ranges including Dabjan, Methwani, Kathuhalan, Sahduw, Laji Gathen, Tharina, Nagwan, Keller, Mujh Pathari, Sangerwani areas of forests in Pulwama and Shopian.

Sources also said that the compartments of Kathu Hallan, Majh Pathri and Thyroon block include RB-28, RB-29 and RB-30 on which the government has spent a huge amount on CAMPA closures. However, large-scale irregularities have been revealed.

Sources said that substandard material was being used in these CAMPA closures and that it involved the collusion of the Division Forrest Officer (DFO) with the hired contractors.

Meanwhile, sources also alleged that large scale looting was going on in compartments RB-27, RB-28 and RB-26 under green filling in Kathuhalan and Majh Pathri, during which green gold was approved by the contractors and an open waiver of deduction has been given.

Meanwhile, local sources added that if the deployment of clean and transparent administration and honest division forest officer in the division was not carried out immediately and that the former administration was deployed, then the Shopian and Romshi range of forests in green gold will be completely eliminated in the future.

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