By Our Staff Reporter
Pauri, 22 Jan: Even as the Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy rain and snowfall in Uttarakhand’s hill districts for the coming days, forest fires have already been reported from parts of Pauri district during the peak of the winter season. According to the forest officials, the authorities are investigating and identifying those responsible for deliberately setting the forests ablaze.
One such incident of forest fire has been reported from Dwaridhar along the Pauri-Devprayag motor road, where miscreants reportedly set fire to the forest during the night. Upon receiving information, teams from the forest department and local fire services rushed to the spot. After strenuous efforts, the fire was brought under control. A search operation is underway to apprehend those behind this deliberate act.
Officials from the Pauri Garhwal Forest Department have expressed concern over such incidents occurring before the official fire season. They claim that the main cause of these fires appears to be local miscreants setting the forests on fire, which is especially troubling in this cold season.
District Forest Officer (DFO) Civil Soyam Pawan Negi confirmed that his team, along with fire service personnel, successfully extinguished the fire. Negi added that a team of forest officials is actively engaging with local communities, raising awareness about the devastating effects of forest fires and their causes. Despite the early preparations for the fire season by the department, the deliberate ignition of forests near urban areas poses a serious risk, Negi admitted.
He added that efforts are underway to identify the culprits through on-ground investigations and surveillance of nearby CCTV cameras. The forest department has intensified its vigilance in the area and is working on preventive measures to mitigate future incidents.
The recurrence of forest fires during the winter season has alarmed authorities. Fires not only threaten the biodiversity of the region but also exacerbate environmental degradation. The forest department has appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity and cooperate in protecting the region’s ecological balance. Meanwhile, teams continue their efforts to prevent further fires and apprehend those responsible for endangering the forests.
