Srinagar, Jan 13 : Kashmir recorded 310 forest fire incidents in 2025, affecting more than 880 hectares of forest land across various divisions, according to official data. The figures show a decline compared to the previous year, officials said.
Data accessed by Kashmir News Service (KNS) shows that a total of 880.77 hectares of forest area was damaged due to fires during the year.
The Sindh Forest Division recorded the highest number of incidents at 67, with 111.06 hectares affected, followed by Kamraj Forest Division with 52 incidents impacting 67.90 hectares.
Anantnag Forest Division recorded 37 fire incidents, damaging 60.25 hectares, while Bandipora reported 29 incidents affecting 60.35 hectares.
Lidder Forest Division saw 25 incidents, but a comparatively larger area of 110.95 hectares was damaged.
Kulgam Forest Division reported 22 incidents and the highest area loss in the valley at 307.85 hectares, the data showed.
Tangmarg and Kehmil Forest Divisions reported 18 incidents each, affecting 36.05 hectares and 43.55 hectares respectively. JV Forest Division recorded 16 incidents impacting 41.21 hectares.
Awantipora Forest Division witnessed nine incidents with 30.70 hectares affected.
Shopian and Langate Forest Divisions recorded five incidents each, with 1.70 hectares and 4.02 hectares affected respectively.
Pir Panjal Forest Division also reported five incidents, damaging 3.15 hectares.
Urban Forest Division recorded the lowest figures with two incidents affecting 2.03 hectares of land.
Environmental experts said the data highlights continued pressure on forest resources and underscores the need for improved prevention, monitoring and rapid response measures to minimise fire-related damage in the coming years.
Officials said the division-wise data indicates that certain areas remain more vulnerable to forest fires and require focused intervention.(KNS).
