Srinagar: Massive fire has engulfed forests in Mansbal Range in this central Kashmir district, officials said on Monday.
They said fire was raging in compartment no. 9 Mansbal range of Sindh forest Division Ganderbal from last three days and compartment no. 20 from last two days.
Official sources told that fire was caused due to dry weather conditions prevalent in the Valley.
They said the Ranger of Mansbal range Abdul Rashid Bakerwal was injured after being hit with a stone in an attempt to control the flames. He has been shifted to SKIMS Soura, they said.
As many as 160 forest fire incidents were reported in Kashmir Valley in last two years, the government said last weekend.
In a written reply to a question by National Conference legislator, forest Minister Ch. Lal Singh informed the legislative Assembly that 49 incidents were reported during 2015-16—18 in central Kashmir, 24 in north and seven in South including Shopian.
Similarly, he said, 71 incidents of forest fire were reported last year. 16 of them were reported from central Kashmir, 25 in north, 13 in South and 17 in Shopian range.
