By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 25 Apr: Forests are engulfed in fire across the state in, both, Garhwal and Kumaon regions. As per the estimates given by the State Forest Department, more than 656 hectares of the forest area have been affected due to fires this season already. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken serious note of the raging forest fires and has directed immediate action to prevent forest fires. Chief Secretary Radha Raturi has also chaired a meeting with the divisional forest officers and the SSPs of all the districts, directing all possible steps to prevent and control forest fires but nothing seems to be working effectively enough.
It appears that the Forest Department is just not equipped to deal effectively with the forest fires and is largely dependent on old traditional techniques and measures. The most common method still in use by the forest department on a large scale is throwing green branches and stems and some metallic structures on the fires and hoping that the fire gets extinguished.
Speaking with Garhwal Post, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Fires and Disaster Management) Nishant Verma conceded that there has been some restriction on digging new fire lines due to court orders but added that the department is seeking some relaxation in this regard. He also claimed that the existing fire lines have been cleared of vegetation and maintained to put brakes on advancing fires. He added that, in addition, other traditional methods are also being adopted. He admitted that it is a major challenge to prevent and control fires in this season which has been more or less dry so far.
Verma further informed that FIRs have been filed in 3 cases against people of deliberately causing fires. At present there is no proposal to seek help of choppers or the army to control the fires.
Cases have also been registered against some unknown people. Reports related to forest fire are being sought every day from the Forest Conservator and Chief Forest Conservator. On the incidents of forest fire, DFOs concerned have been instructed to go to the spot themselves and oversee the operations.
He added that over 544 cases of fire have been reported in this season, so far, in the state. Of these, over 220 incidents have been reported from Garhwal alone. More than 44 incidents of fires have been reported from wildlife inhabited reserves. Every day, over 55 fresh incidents of fire are being currently reported. Verma added that in the past 24 hours, over 75 hectares of forest areas were affected by the fires of which 61 hectares is reserved forest area.
Due to increasing incidents of fire, the lives of wild animals are also at risk. According to Principal Secretary, Forest, RK Sudhanshu, instructions have been given to take strict action against the mischievous elements who set fires in the forests. As soon as information about forest fire incidents is received, department officials are being sent to the spot every day and reports are being taken from them.
Yellow alert for thunderstorms & rain issued
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 25 Apr: Amidst the incidents of fire in the mountains, the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert of thunderstorm and rains in the state. As per the forecast released by the department, there is a strong possibility of thunderstorm with strong winds up to 35 km per hour and rains in the state especially on Friday and Saturday. In this case, there is a possibility of fires in the forests getting controlled to some extent. Along with this, the possibility of damage to mountain fruit crops also cannot be ruled out as a result of thunderstorms. The forests in the mountains of Uttarakhand are currently in the grip of fire, due to the extreme heat and drying up of water sources, the fire is getting out of control at many places. Every day 55 to 60 incidents of forest fire are being recorded at the Forest Department headquarters.
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert indicating the possibility of rain tomorrow in entire Uttarakhand except Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar districts. In April this will be second time this year of the rain and thunderstorm coming together and damaging mango, apple, peach, apricot, plum, pear, and litchi crops. After the warning from the Meteorological Department, the State Disaster Management Department has also been alerted.
