Over the weekend, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 helicopter took action to combat the raging forest fires in Uttarakhand by collecting water from Bhimtal Lake. The ANI news agency shared footage of this operation as the fires continued to threaten vast hectares of forested land in the region.
#WATCH | Nainital Fire | IAF Mi-17 helicopter takes water from Bhimtal Lake in Nainital as the Forest Department calls in the Indian Air Force and Indian Army for help in controlling the fire in Nainital which has been going on for more than 36 hours and burnt hectares of forest. pic.twitter.com/L6HnLbPU3W
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 27, 2024
Authorities in Uttarakhand have mobilized both the Bharatiya Army and the IAF to contain the spreading fires, particularly in Nainital and surrounding areas. Rahul Anand, Executive Officer of the Nainital Municipal Corporation, emphasized the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure such as the Air Force Station amidst the ongoing firefighting efforts. He reassured that the situation is currently under control, though efforts persist.
Responding to the escalating crisis, the Uttarakhand government has taken proactive measures, including imposing a ban on boating activities in Naini Lake due to the proximity of the flames.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami acknowledged the severity of the situation and announced plans to convene a meeting with stakeholders in Haldwani to address the crisis head-on.
Dhami expressed the gravity of the challenge posed by the forest fires, highlighting their widespread impact. Seeking assistance from the Army, he assured the public of concerted efforts to bring the situation under control.
The Chief Minister had earlier conducted a meeting in Dehradun to coordinate efforts and strategize containment measures.
It underscore the urgency of the situation, with reports indicating a significant increase in forest fire incidents. The Forest Department’s bulletin revealed 26 incidents in the Kumaon region and five in Garhwal over the past 24 hours, affecting over 33 hectares of forest land.
Chandrashekhar Joshi, the Divisional Forest Officer in Nainital, detailed the deployment of personnel and resources to tackle the fires, underscoring the scale of the response effort.
Moreover, authorities have taken punitive action against individuals believed to have ignited the fires deliberately. Three suspects have been apprehended and remanded to custody for allegedly starting fires in Jakholi and Rudraprayag.
Such incidents compound the challenges faced by firefighting crews and underscore the need for stringent enforcement measures to prevent further destruction.
The cumulative impact of the ongoing forest fires is alarming, with data indicating a significant toll on the region’s ecosystem. Since November of the previous year, over 575 incidents of forest fires have been reported, affecting nearly 690 hectares of forest land and incurring substantial financial losses.
Comments