100 locals feared trapped, wild animals in danger

Wasim Khalid
Srinagar, Nov 12: The Pahalgam wildlife sanctuary has caught fire and there are apprehensions that about hundred people are trapped while large number of cattle and wild animals has been affected by the inferno, which has been going on since past four days.

 “The fire engulfed Langam Bal, Aurun and Lidroo forests of Pahalgam wildlife sanctuary four days back and since then it has not been doused,” Kabir Khan hailing from Lidroo village in Pahalgam told Rising Kashmir.  
The fire has spread to four square kilometers of wildlife sanctuary Lidder in compartment number 48. “The fire is fast spreading fast and has engulfed the villagers bordering the sanctuary,” said Kabir Khan.
He said that about hundred people are trapped in the fire. “My brothers Roshan and Ghulam Mohiudin and uncles Bashir Gula and Rashid are among those trapped in the fire. They had gone to collect dry grass for cattle,” said Khan.  
The locals said that many people are missing since the fire broke out in the forest.
Farid Ahmad of Lidroo said that beside hundreds of cattle, lives of wild animals including bear, hangul, wild goats and other endangered species are under threat.
“Property worth crores of rupees has been destroyed so far,” said Ahmad, a labourer by profession. “Our village is up in flames”.
The residents alleged that guards of wildlife and forest department have deliberately torched the forests. “I myself saw them burning the forests,” Ahmad said. “Four days ago back, the fire had engulfed the upper reaches but since it has not been doused it has spread in the low lying areas as well”.
He said no official has visited the fire-hit areas during past four days.
“The locals are battling the fire and many people have received burn injuries. We have spent sleepless nights and fear that fire might fully engulf our village”.
Station House Officer Pahalgam, Manzoor Ahmad confirmed that wildlife sanctuary is under fire from past four days. “We have launched operations to rescue people from the fire”, he said.
SHO said that police along with fire services have rescued about 40 persons till last night. “I do not think wildlife people will have torched the sanctuary. The Gujjar population prepares charcoal in the upper reaches and it might have led to fire in forest”.
Regional wildlife warden A K Srivastav told Rising Kashmir that their team is engaged in dousing the fire in the sanctuary.
“The fire started two days back in the 40 hectare area of the wildlife sanctuary. It is now under control,” he said.
Srivastav said the fire has only damaged dry grass and old stumps while standing trees are ok.  
On trapping of locals in the forest fire, Srivastav said that they have not received any complaint in this regard.
Expressing hope that wildlife animals would be safe, he said most them including black bear and hangul flee to safer places after fire.
He said wildlife department would initiate an inquiry into the incident.