Locals battle Uttarakhand forest fires as 47 new blazes devour 78 hectares

Uttarakhand grapples with a persistent forest fire challenge, witnessing 47 new incidents on Monday alone. These fires have consumed approximately 78 hectares of forest land, inflicting significant damage across the state. The Kumaon region bears the brunt, with 30 incidents scorching an area spanning 51 hectares, while Garhwal has seen 16 incidents affecting 25 hectares. Additionally, one incident has ravaged 1.5 hectares of protected forests.

Despite efforts to combat the flames, four individuals have sustained injuries. Since November 1 of the previous year, a staggering 653 fire incidents have been recorded, devouring 814 hectares of forest cover and causing losses worth Rs 16.8 lakh to the state exchequer. In response, Union Minister Ajay Bhatt assured the safety of tourist destinations, including Nainital, following successful containment efforts within a commendable 36-hour timeframe.

Nainital, a critical area in the battle against the fires, received support from 30 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) members. The coordinated efforts of various agencies, including the Army and district administration, underscore a collective commitment to tackling the crisis. Nainital Divisional Forest Officer Chandrashekhar Joshi affirmed that all fires in the division, accounting for 28 incidents affecting approximately 33 hectares, are effectively contained. Additionally, legal action has been initiated against individuals responsible under the Indian Forest Act.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a meeting to address the situation, emphasizing support for affected areas and commending the efforts of the forest department, NDRF, and the Army. Nishant Verma, the state forest department’s nodal officer for forest fires and disaster management, highlighted efforts to tackle intentional fire-setting, with legal action taken against perpetrators. As Uttarakhand confronts this ongoing crisis, collective efforts and assurances from authorities provide hope amid the devastation, underscoring the importance of sustained vigilance and public cooperation in safeguarding the state’s natural heritage.