Unusually dry weather in Jammu and Kashmir has triggered around 100 forest fires in the past 15 days and threatens to change crop patterns in the wake of 80-90% deficient rainfall for the past 40 days.
Spring seasons are usually wet in Kashmir but locals across the Valley are spotting forest fires on a regular basis this year. At least eight forest fires were spotted in Kashmir and nearly 50 in Jammu region on April 10-11, according to the NASA FIRMS’ satellite images. The fires have engulfed several portions of forests where wildlife is active.
“Significant deficit in rainfall has resulted in dryness and less moisture availability in our forest areas. Grasses are more prone to dryness and vulnerable to catch fire. This is coupled with local grazers who at times intentionally want to get rid of the dry grasses for much better and greener rejuvenations as fodder availability. So far, the incidents are largely, 90-95%, ground and bush fire in nature and large mammals and birds are not much affected,” Rashid Naqash, regional wildlife warden, Kashmir, told The Hindu.
The recent fires were mainly active in Kashmir’s Khrew, Khonmoh and Tral wildlife areas, which are home to many rare animals including the Kashmiri stag, Hangul.
“We are working on a joint strategy to get control of these incidents in joint coordination with various other wings of the forest department,” Mr. Naqash said.
Rainfall deficit
Kashmir is witness to the worst rainfall deficit and unusually higher day temperature this spring season. The day temperature has been hovering at 6 to 10 degrees Celsius above the normal temperature in most parts of the Valley.
According to the meteorological department (MeT) data, most parts of J&K have recorded 80 to 90% deficient rainfall from March 1 till date. J&K has received only 18.3 mm rainfall against the normal 172.1 mm rainfall. Similarly, capital Srinagar received 30.4 mm rainfall against the normal of 123.3 mm. The rainfall received in March has been the lowest ever in the last four decades.
The prolonged dry spell is now threatening both the horticulture sector and the crop pattern in Kashmir. Many horticulturalists said the dry spell has already made the apple tree blossom fragile.
“Regular wet weather in the spring season is required so that the blossom grows stronger on the branches. The apple blossom is prone to early fall and may not bear fruit if we don’t get sufficient spells of light showers in spring,” Niyaz Ahmad, a horticulturalist from Anantnag, said. Anantnag has recorded 90% deficient rainfall in the past 40 days.
Farmers across the Valley await rainfall to start sowing paddy. An official said the absence of rainfall in the coming 2-3 weeks may force the authorities to issue an advisory to farmers “not to go for sowing of seeds”.
Director Agriculture, Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, termed the current climate scenario “a challenge”. “We have to strategise our field activities and interventions in order to experience the minimum impact of the prevailing climatic conditions. Several teams are working on plans with agriculture scientists to tackle the situation,” Mr. Iqbal said.
