JAMMU, June 7 -- A total of 378.87 hectares of forest area was affected in 197 forest fires since 2020-21 in Ramnagar forest division that spans over 37,252 hectares and 95% fires were man-induced.

Every summer, jungles across Jammu region where mercury soars above 43 degree Celsius, the forest fires take a heavy toll on flora and fauna including wildlife.

The Ramnagar Division Forest officer Naresh Majotra pointed out that the majority of fire incidents in J&K occur in pine forests during the dry summer months, especially in Jammu division.

"Most fires are surface fires affecting leaf litter, grasses, shrubs, and regeneration. However, 90% of the fires are human induced," he said.

"It is important to note that area affected by fire d...