Man Booked for Kindling Forest Fire in Kupwara

Irfan Lone

Kupwara: Authorities on Thursday said to have booked a man accused of kindling a fire in Ladah forest area in Kalaroos, falling in Kamraj Forest Division, in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

An official told Alfaaz – The Words that during a routine inspection, forest beat official Kalaroose Bashir Ahmad Lone, accompanied by Nazir Ahmad Lone, apprehended an individual in connection with a forest fire in the 114 NL Kalaroose beat, North Lolab Range, Kamraj Forest Division.

“The accused was subsequently apprehended and handed over to Police Post Kalaroose for lodgement of FIR,” said the official.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kamraj, Anurag Arya, IFS, confirmed the arrest of the accused and emphasized strict action will be taken taken against the person.

Arya stated that a case vide FIR number 0163/2024 against the person for the act.

“Setting fire to forests or promoting such activities are a punishable crime,” Arya said, adding, “Those who violate the law will face stringent consequences.”

The DFO in the meantime appealed to the public to refrain from engaging in activities that endanger forest ecosystems.

Notably, this is the first instance, on record, where a culprit has been booked for such a crime.