By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 20 Jun: Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav today conducted an intensive tour of several fire affected forest areas in Tehri district. He also reviewed the measures to deal with this disaster. He visited forest ranges like Shivpuri, Hindolakhal, Bemunda, Agrakhal, etc., in Narendranagar Forest Division and reviewed the damage caused to the forests by the fires and issued necessary guidelines to the officials.
It may be recalled that Yadav arrived today on a two-day tour of the state to take stock of the forest fires in the state and discuss remedial measures with the state government. State Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal also accompanied him during the tour of the forest areas.
The Union Forest Minister also visited various sites in Narendra Nagar and Tehri forest divisions under Bhagirathi Circle and reviewed the remote forest areas affected by forest fire and the preparations of the Forest Department to deal with the forest fires. He also reviewed the measures taken by the Forest Department and the cooperation being provided by the local residents in dealing with the fires.
During the field visit to Hindolakhal, Yadav observed that incidents of forest fires had increased in Uttarakhand. He also noted that these incidents have occurred mostly in pine forests. During his stay at the forest sites, he also held onsite meetings with the locals and the forest officials to find out the local causes of the fire. Yadav noted that now the situation is under control, but the field inspection is still necessary so that the geographical conditions here could be assessed, public participation and consent could be ensured so that the government, forest department are able to prevent or minimise incidents of fire in coordination with the local population. He said that the Union Government and the state government are working together to prevent incidents of forest fire in future.
At Bemunda Crew Station, Yadav interacted with rural women and villagers and discussed the causes of forest fire. He also discussed the issue with the forest personnel engaged in extinguishing the forest fire and inspected the crew station here. It may be recalled that there are oak forest areas in Hindolakhal, in which some forest fire accidents have occurred in the past. A crew station has been established by the Forest Department in Bemunda so that immediate action can be taken on receiving information regarding incidents of forest fire in the area around the National Highway. Bemunda crew station is helpful in inspecting extremely sensitive forest areas.
Yadav also inspected the Community Development Centre located in Agrakhal and took stock of the work being done by the local community in various development activities. In this area, the local community also provides assistance to the Forest Department in dealing with forest fires. The Union Forest Minister also inspected the area of fire accidents in the pine forests in Badshahi Dhol. He also discussed the issue with the forest officials present and intensively reviewed the efforts to prevent and deal with the fire.
Yadav emphasised that the State Forest Department should ensure more intensive preparations in advance to deal with forest fire. He urged that on receiving information about the fire, arrangements should be made to deal with it in the shortest possible time. He also stressed on ensuring the participation of the local community in forest fire cases. He also motivated the local community in this regard. Yadav expressed serious concern over the recent forest fires and the loss of life and property caused.
Yadav interacted with the officials and personnel of the Forest Department in Badshahithaul Forest Range. During this, he inspected the equipment to deal with forest fire.
On this occasion, many senior officials of the Forest Department including Forest Minister of Uttarakhand Government, Subodh Uniyal, and Tehri MLA Kishore Upadhyay were present.
