Dehma (Majalta Tehsil) – Ranbir Singh Pathania, former MLA and BJP Spokesperson, has called for a comprehensive action plan to combat the rampant forest fires plaguing forests of Jammu & Udhampur district. Speaking at a public meeting held at the Community Hall in Dehma, Majalta Tehsil, Pathania emphasized the urgent need to address and mitigate the devastating impact of forest fires on the region’s valuable forests, specifically highlighting the areas of Sehal, Lgani, Raour, Sagoo, Surinsar, Mansar, Sewna, Ghordi, Parlidhar, Sattian, and Tarmyan. Pathania urged for the immediate registration of criminal cases to identify and prosecute those responsible for igniting these forest fires. “Identifying the culprits behind these destructive acts is crucial for preventing future occurrences,” he stated. The BJP leader also stressed the importance of capacity building among local forest staff. He pointed out the lack of technical expertise and modern equipment as significant obstacles in effectively combating forest fires. While taking pot-shot at Forest Deptt for its lacklustre follow-up, he said “For engaging seasonal fire watchers and utilizing the traditional employee strength, the officers lack technical expertise. They neither possess the latest instruments nor have a concrete blueprint on how to control forest fires and bring the guilty to justice,” .
Furthermore, Pathania called for substantial efforts to compensate for the forest losses in the sensitive and ecologically fragile areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the need for robust strategies and resources to restore and protect these vital forest regions. Forest fires destroy trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Fires burn organic matter in the soil, reducing its fertility. The heat can also cause soil to become hydrophobic, reducing its ability to absorb water, which can lead to increased runoff and erosion. Many plant species are killed off or severely reduced in number, leading to a loss of biodiversity. Burning forests release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Animals caught in the path of a fire can suffer burns, smoke inhalation, and death. Fires destroy the habitat that animals depend on for shelter, food, and breeding. This can lead to population declines and even local extinctions. Many animals rely on specific plants or prey species that may be wiped out or severely reduced by fire, leading to starvation and migration. The changes in vegetation and habitat structure can alter the ecosystem dynamics, affecting food webs and species interactions for many years after the fire.
Among those who attended the meeting included Capt Gopal Singh Mankotia, Kuldeep Singh, Pritam Chand, Baldev Singh Mankotia, Haji Mohd Din, Mohd Azim, Kewal, Capt. Shanker Singh, Sunit Singh Ex-Sarpanch, Surinder Singh Ex- Sarpanch, Ved Sharma, Ashok Bhagat, Mulkh Raj Verma, Gopal Das, Devi Das, Ajeet Thakur, Zakir Hussain, Om Prakash Mohinder Kumar and others.