Massive forest fires engulf J-K’s Bhaderwah valley, admin issues advisory as AQI reaches 53

Bhaderwah Dec 19: The prolonged dry weather that triggered frequent forest fires since last one month has engulfed entire Bhaderwah valley in thick smoke leaving residents panicked as the prevailing situation has raised serious health concerns with AQI reaching record 53.Meanwhile ADC Bhadarwah Sunil Kumar issued an advisory on Thursday asking residents not to venture out without wearing mask beside Forest Department and Fire & Emergency Services have been put on high alert to take immediate measure to control the frequent forest fires.Residents and environmentalists said that since last one month air around them in entire Bhaderwah valley has suddenly grown heavier with smoke.A whistle blower and resident of the scenic Himalayan town that is a popular tourist destination, Kamran Khan said that the nearby forests and vegetation were on fire since last one and a half month.Territorial Forest Department and Forest Protection Force are not doing enough to douse off the forest fires which have ravaged thousands of pine trees at multiple sites in entire Bhaderwah Forest Division,” Said Kamran Khan.”The forest fires that has been going on since more than one month at multiple locations in Neeru, Chirala, Bhalessa and Kellar ranges have not only affected the humans badly, but also has done irreparable loss to the several species of birds, reptiles and animals that are native of these thick pine forests,” Khan added.”I’m finding it very difficult to breathe and the impact of the smoke has taken its toll on the health of my grandmother who is an Asthama patient. This is high time that administration should take some immediate corrective measures to control the ravaging forest fires as I was surprised to see that AQI of Bhadarwah has reached to frightening 53. If the situation prevails, it will become even worse for all of us,” said Manisha Komal (17), a student from Bhadarwah.