By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 18 Apr: As the temperatures rise in Uttarakhand, forests in Uttarakhand have again started blazing. The temperature is increasing due to the change in the weather. Its effect is also visible on the forest fires. On Tuesday, the maximum temperature reached 38 degrees Celsius in parts of Uttarakhand. During the course of the past 24 hours, 18 fresh incidents of forest fires were registered across the state according to Chief Conservator of Forest, Forest Fires and Disaster Management, Nishant Verma. He stated that all forest divisions have been put on alert in this regard.
Verma stated that, so far, 272 hectares of forest area have been burnt in a total of 196 incidents this summer. A loss of Rs 8.05 lakhs has been estimated as a result. Of the total number of forest fire incidents, 77 incidents of forest fire have been reported from Garhwal, and 102 from Kumaon and 17 incidents in reserved wildlife sanctuaries.
According to the report released by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Fire and Disaster Management, 5 incidents of forest fire were registered in Garhwal and 13 places in reserved forest areas, today. In the past 24 hours, about 29 hectares of forest area have been affected and as a result, an economic loss of Rs 48,570 has been estimated. The incidents of fire have suddenly started increasing as the weather remains dry.
