The state of Jammu and Kashmir is located in the north- western extremity of India. The geographical expanse of the state covers an area of 2, 22,236 sq. kms. Out of which 20,230 sq. kms are under the forests i.e. 19 % of total geographical area, against the recommended forest cover of 60% for hill states as per National Forest Policy of India. Out of total forest area, 46% is open forest and 54 % is dense forest. Out of this 50% are accessible, commercially managible forests and rest 50% are uncommercial, steep and inaccessible i.e. they are situated at high altitude and serve as protection belts. At present these forests of Jammu and Kashmir has reached to stage when many most valuable components of our genetic resources have been taken back by the nature .These forests have lost their credibility, as the guarantor of resource base and have now became the agent of catastrophe. Today, we have forest cover of about 19.95% as against the recommended forest cover of 60 % in the hill states. The forest of J&K State are dominated by coniferous tree species, comprising mainly of Blue pine/ Kail/Kayur (Pinus wallichiana), Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Fir/ Budul (Abies pindrow), Kach Budul (Abies spectabilis) Kachul/ Rayil (Picea smithiana), Chir pine/ Chir (Pinus roxburghii), Yew/ postol (Taxus baccata) etc which are very prone to fires. These forests are also occupied by deciduous trees, which are also damaged by fires.

The habitat loss caused by these forest fires alone is sure to push the already weak wildlife populations further towards the threshold of extinction. Apparently timber smugglers, after illegal cutting and timber smuggling from internal forest areas, deliberately set fires to destroy the evidence of the offence. The current lack of a proper forest fire prevention/response plan as well as the underlying conflict in Jammu & Kashmir and the restrictions on access that it creates along the militarized "Line-of-Control" has exacerbated the environmental crisis.