In response to the escalating forest fires in Uttarakhand, particularly in the Kumaon region, the state government has enacted measures to tackle the crisis head-on. An official order has been issued, mandating forest officials to remain on duty throughout the forest fire season, which spans from February 15 to June 15. This decision aims to ensure a continuous presence of personnel to combat the fires effectively.
Furthermore, in a collaborative effort, a team comprising 41 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) members has been dispatched to Nainital to support local forest authorities in containing the fires. Over the past 24 hours, the state has witnessed eight incidents of forest fires, with four occurring in the Kumaon region alone. Since November 1 of the preceding year, a staggering 606 forest fire incidents have been recorded, resulting in the devastation of approximately 735.8 hectares of forest land across various regions.
Attributed to rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, and diminished humidity, the frequency of forest fires has surged. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, RK Sudhanshu, the principal secretary of forests, has underscored the imperative for preemptive measures. Accordingly, the forest department has issued stringent directives to prevent and manage forest fires effectively.
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Under the new directives, forest department personnel are barred from taking leave during the ongoing forest fire season, except under exceptional circumstances. Furthermore, the order stipulates that any lapses in forest fire control will prompt severe action, with accountability assigned to the relevant officers and employees.
To bolster firefighting capabilities, the forest department has resolved to maintain round-the-clock deployment of teams equipped with essential resources at every fire crew station in sensitive forest divisions. Moreover, concerted efforts will be made to engage local communities in fire prevention and management through extensive outreach programs and awareness campaigns, including initiatives targeting students in schools and colleges.
These directives follow stringent instructions issued by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has labeled forest fires as a significant challenge. Dhami has urged officials to mobilize all available resources and collaborate closely with local communities to mitigate the impact of forest fires effectively.
