Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has convened a crucial review meeting to address the escalating forest fire crisis in the region. The meeting, held with officials from the Kumaon Division, emphasized stringent measures to combat the wildfires wreaking havoc across Uttarakhand’s green cover.
Directives were issued to intensify efforts to prevent forest fires, with officers instructed to remain vigilant at all times. In addition, forest officers have been barred from taking leaves, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Chief Minister Dhami underscored the importance of cooperation from all departments, not just the forest department, in tackling the ongoing crisis.
He stressed the need to bolster the information system to prevent forest fire incidents and advocated for the establishment of a swift response team. Dhami emphasized the crucial role of local communities in forest fire prevention efforts, highlighting the necessity of garnering public cooperation at the grassroots level.
In a step to reinforce firefighting efforts, the Bharatiya Army has been deployed to assist in combating the raging wildfires. Chief Minister Dhami affirmed the government’s commitment to marshaling all necessary resources to address the formidable challenge posed by the forest fires.
He also warned of stern action against individuals found culpable for igniting fires in the forests, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to arson.
The severity of the situation prompted Chief Minister Dhami to conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas, furtherly underscoring the government’s proactive response to the crisis. Notably, the Kumaon region has borne the brunt of the infernos, with reports of extensive damage to hectares of forest land emerging in the wake of the relentless blazes.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also joined the firefighting efforts, deploying MI-17 helicopters to aid in extinguishing the flames. These helicopters have been mobilized to extract water from Nainital Lake, temporarily halting boating activities to channel resources towards fire suppression.
Despite concerted efforts, the wildfires continue to ravage the forested terrain, posing a persistent threat to Uttarakhand’s ecological wealth.
The onset of forest fires in Uttarakhand, beginning in mid-February and persisting till mid-June, underscores the cyclical nature of the environmental challenge.
As temperatures rise and dry leaves accumulate, the risk of wildfires intensifies, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate the impact on the region’s biodiversity and communities.
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