In response to the escalating forest fires in Uttarakhand, particularly in the Kumaon region, urgent measures have been taken by the state government to combat the crisis. A team of 41 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel was swiftly dispatched to Nainital on Sunday to support forest officials in containing the spreading fires.
The severity of the situation prompted the Uttarakhand government to issue an order prohibiting forest officials from taking leave during the forest fire season, which runs from February 15 to June 15 annually. This move aims to ensure maximum manpower and resources are available to tackle the ongoing fires effectively.
Forest officials reported a concerning surge in forest fire incidents, with eight incidents recorded in the past 24 hours alone, including four in the Kumaon region. Since November 1 of the previous year, the state has witnessed a staggering 606 forest fire incidents, resulting in the damage of over 735.8 hectares of forest land. The Garhwal region accounted for 242.3 hectares of the damaged land, followed by 429.4 hectares in Kumaon and 64.02 hectares in administrative wildlife regions.
The rise in forest fire incidents is attributed to soaring temperatures, prolonged dry spells without rainfall, and decreased humidity levels. In response to this crisis, RK Sudhanshu, the principal secretary of forests, issued an order emphasizing the need for immediate prevention and control measures.
The directive mandates that no leave be granted to forest department personnel except in special circumstances. It also underscores the need for swift action against any negligence in forest fire control, holding officers and employees accountable for their responsibilities.
To bolster firefighting efforts, the forest department plans to deploy teams equipped with necessary tools round the clock at every fire crew station in highly sensitive and sensitive forest divisions. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and programs, including those targeting students in local schools and colleges, will be conducted to garner community support in forest fire management.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a proactive stance, instructing officials to collaborate with active fire stations and engage local communities in firefighting initiatives. Nishant Verma, the additional principal chief conservator of forests and state nodal officer for forest fires, assured that the situation is under control, highlighting measures to combat intentional fires by “anti-social elements” and ongoing efforts to identify and penalize offenders.
Sources By Agencies
