My heart cries for my land -My City is Burning? Must Be a Reason for Frequent Fire Incidents in Kashmir – Isn’t Prevention Still Better Than Cure? Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili
Dr. Fiaz Fazili
Kashmir, often romanticized as “Heaven on Earth,” is a land of snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, and serene lakes. Yet, in recent years, this paradise has been scarred by an alarming rise in fire incidents. From bustling markets to dense forests, flames have devoured livelihoods, ecosystems, and cultural heritage. The haunting question echoes: *Why is this happening? * While debates rage over causes, one truth remains undeniable: reactive measures are futile if proactive prevention is ignored. This writeup explores the reasons behind Kashmir’s fiery crisis, analyses ongoing efforts to combat it, and argues that the age-old adage—”Prevention is better than cure”—must guide our response. The piece combines factual analysis with grassroots insights to advocate for a preventive approach, urging stakeholders to prioritize long-term safety over short-term fixes.
The ecological degradation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has reached a critical juncture. Over the past decade, the region has lost a staggering 57% of its wetland area, a lifeline for biodiversity, water security, and climate resilience. Wetlands, which act as natural sponges to mitigate floods and recharge groundwater, are vanishing due to encroachment, pollution, and unchecked urbanization. Concurrently, water bodies are shrinking, and glaciers—the primary source of freshwater for rivers like the Jhelum and Indus—are retreating at an alarming rate due to global warming.
This ecological collapse has triggered a dual crisis: water scarcity and energy insecurity. As rivers and streams dry up, communities face acute drinking water shortages, while agriculture—the backbone of the economy—struggles with erratic irrigation. Hydropower generation, which contributes significantly to J&K’s electricity, has plummeted, leading to prolonged blackouts that cripple daily life and economic activities. The crisis is cyclical: reduced snowfall and glacial melt diminish water flow to dams, which in turn disrupts power supply, pushing communities to rely on groundwater, further depleting resources.The situation demands immediate intervention. Sustainable land-use policies, wetland restoration, and stringent conservation laws are vital. Climate-resilient infrastructure and afforestation can mitigate glacier melt. Public awareness campaigns must emphasize water conservation. The time to act is now—before J&K’s ecological fabric unravels irreversibly, leaving its people parched and powerless in the face of an escalating catastrophe.
The Inferno’s Frequency – A Pattern of Destruction; Kashmir’s fire incidents are no longer isolated tragedies but a recurring nightmare. In 2022 alone, over 1,500 fire cases were reported, destroying homes, shops, and forests. Srinagar’s historic Gaw Kadal market, Pahalgam’s tourist huts, and Shopian’s apple orchards have all turned to ashes. In 2023, a massive forest fire in Dachigam National Park threatened endangered species like the Kashmir stag. These incidents share a common thread: they are preventable, yet they recur.
Unmasking the Causes – Natural or Man-Made?Natural Triggers. Climate Change: Rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells create tinderbox conditions. Electrical Faults : Kashmir’s outdated. Substandard power infrastructure sparks fires, especially in congested areas. Human Negligence. Deliberate Arson: Land mafias ignite fires to clear land for illegal construction.Tourist Carelessness: Campfires left unattended in forests like Gulmarg escalate into disasters.
Systemic Failures; 1.Poor urban planning, cramped wooden structures, and lack of fire safety audits amplify risks.2.The Scorched Aftermath – Impacts Beyond Ashes. Economic Devastation. Farmers lose orchards, artisans lose workshops, and tourism—a ₹10,000 crore industry—collapses. 3. Ecological Ruin. Forest fires release carbon, disrupt wildlife, and erode soil, worsening floods.4.Psychological Trauma. – Survivors, like the shopkeepers of “Anantnagh, Sonamarg,Kishtwar etc grapple with PTSD and financial ruin.
What Is Being Done? – Current Measures.1. Government Initiatives;. Fire Stations: New stations in rural areas like Kupwara and Bandipora. Awareness Drives: The J&K Fire and Emergency Services conducts school workshops. Technology: Drones monitor forests, and apps like Fire Alert Kashmir notify residents.2. Community Efforts. –Volunteers, Mohalla committees need to form fire-watch groups. Mosques use loudspeakers to warn during dry spells. – NGOs like “Syed Saddat”(Anantnag) ,and” Ababeel”, from Kishtwar distributed urgent relief and “Kashmir Welfare Trust”even distributed fire extinguishers to households.3. Challenges Persist. Funds are misallocated; fire tenders often arrive too late. Allegations of corruption are also not infrequent and allow illegal construction in fire-prone zones.
Prevention vs. Cure – Why the Former Matters?.a). Cost-Effectiveness. – Preventing a fire costs less than rebuilding a market. For example, installing smoke detectors in Dal Lake houseboats is cheaper than compensating owners after a blaze.b). Saving Lives. The 2021 “Bemina fire,” is reported to have fatalities. Had fire exits been mandatory, lives could’ve been saved.c.)Protecting Heritage. Kashmir’s wooden architecture, like the 14th-century Jamia Masjid, is irreplaceable. Fire-resistant coatings could preserve it.d) Environmental Sustainability. Preventing forest fires preserves biodiversity and combats climate change.
The Road Ahead – Recommendations.A. Strengthen Infrastructure. Modernize electrical grids and enforce building codes requiring fire-resistant materials’. Community Empowerment. Train locals as first responders and reward whistleblowers reporting arson. Policy Overhaul. Ban construction in fire-prone zones and impose heavy fines for negligence. Technology Integration. AI-powered systems to predict fire risks using weather data.
Fire Audit Plan; Call for State wise Fire Safety audit of all major buildings, congested residential area, colonies and Risk management action plan state wise.”In view of unabated fire incidents in residential areas in kashmir.PDD Kashmir should conduct a safety audit of all structures especially in thickly built-up areas in Kashmir as most of the fire incidents occur due to electric short circuits can do this job on some reasonable charges to be realized with structure owners. “Says a noted building engineer, Mr. Manzoor Nawchoo.
Extinguishing the Flames of Complacency. Kashmir’s fires are a symptom of deeper issues—negligence, greed, and inertia. While efforts like drone surveillance and volunteer squads are commendable, they remain fragmented. True change demands a cultural shift: valuing prevention over reaction. As Kashmir rebuilds from ashes, let its people embrace the wisdom of their own proverb: ”Agar bachav na karoge, toh ilaaj kaun karega?” (If you won’t prevent, who will cure?). The time to act is now—before the next spark ignites.
The writer is A Medico at Mubarak hospital, member of GCC -group Of Concerned Citizens, contributes Columns on social ,moral and civil society issues can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com
