As Uttarakhand battles raging forest fires, the Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Dhananjay Mohan has reported five casualties and significant damage across approximately 1,300 hectares of land. Mohan stated that although the situation is currently under control, forest fires continue to pose a threat, especially in the Garhwal division and parts of Almora.
According to Mohan, out of the 388 registered cases related to the fires, 60 have been specifically identified. Tragically, four of the deceased were workers from Nepal employed in Almora, with the fifth being an elderly woman who lost her life in Pauri. Mohan emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards negligence concerning forest fires, leading to the suspension of 10 personnel and disciplinary action against 17 others.
Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has directed officials to intensify efforts to combat the fires and prepare for the upcoming monsoon season. Dhami’s proactive approach includes field inspections by district secretaries to assess fire-affected areas and implement effective preventive measures.
The recent concerns expressed by the Supreme Court highlight the seriousness of the situation. The court noted that relying solely on cloud seeding and rain was insufficient to extinguish the fires, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive preventive strategies from the government.
Sources By Agencies