The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Uttarakhand): Uttarakhand has reported eight new forest fires within the last 24 hours, challenging local firefighting efforts. This recent spike has consumed approximately 11.75 hectares, a notable decrease from the 34.175 hectares affected the previous day. Since November, the state has experienced a total of 606 forest fires, devastating over 735 hectares of land, according to the forest department’s daily bulletin.
Efforts to combat these fires have been bolstered by the deployment of an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter, which has been operational since Saturday. This intervention has successfully extinguished fires in critical areas along the Nainital-Bhowali road, particularly in the Ladiyakata and Pines regions.
The urgency of the situation escalated on Friday when a fire near Nainital threatened both a High Court Colony and an Air Force base, prompting the rapid deployment of aerial support. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been actively monitoring the situation and confirmed that the situation in Nainital and surrounding areas is gradually coming under control.
Kumaon’s Chief Conservator of Forests, Prasanna Kumar Patro, indicated that dry conditions exacerbated by a regional heatwave have contributed to the frequency of fires. Efforts are ongoing to extinguish remaining fires, with additional support from Army personnel, Prantiya Rakshak Dal volunteers, and local homeguards.
The forest department is also intensifying its community outreach, educating locals on fire prevention techniques and the importance of immediate reporting. This includes the prohibition of open garbage burning and the careless disposal of cigarette butts or bidis in forest areas.
Legal measures are being enforced strictly, with potential legal actions under the Forest Act of 1927 against anyone found deliberately setting fires. This is part of a broader initiative to mitigate the traditional practice of burning forest areas to regenerate grass for cattle, a common but hazardous method in the hill regions of Uttarakhand.
With the situation still critical, the forest department’s leave has been suspended, ensuring all hands are on deck until the fire crisis is fully resolved. The ongoing aerial support from the IAF, utilizing water collected from Bhimtal lake, continues to play a pivotal role in these firefighting efforts.