Forest fires affect 1,263 hectares, PCCF issues special instructions to step up efforts
Sunday, 04 April 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
With dry conditions and other factors abetting forest fires in the state, Uttarakhand has witnessed 964 incidents of forest fires which have affected at least 1,263 hectares this year till April 3. While the state is awaiting approval for using helicopter to douse forest fires, the principal chief conservator of forests (head of forest force) Rajiv Bhartari has issued special instructions to the department officials in order to step up efforts to tackle forest fires while pointing at a consistent rise in forest fire incidents in the past one week.
According to data provided by the forest department, about 710 hectares have been affected by 567 incidents in Garhwal region, 528 hectares affected by 376 incidents in Kumaon region and 24.9 hectares have been affected by 21 incidents in administrative, wildlife region of the state so far this year. Apart from this about 58 hectares of plantation with 32,354 saplings has been affected by forest fires. A total of 9,050 trees have been affected by the wildfires whereas the evaluation of losses currently stands at Rs 3,795,710. When it comes to casualties, four persons have died, 22 animals have been wounded and seven animals have died due to forest fires so far this year.
Regarding measures taken to step up efforts to control forest fires, the PCCF said that the forest department had sent its requirement for helicopter to the disaster management secretary, who in turn had sent it to the Defence ministry for approval. The ministry’s approval is awaited, said Bhartari.
Meanwhile, the PCCF has also issued special instructions to the departmental officials regarding forest fires. He pointed out while dry conditions are continuing in the state, leaf fall in pine jungles have raised the scope for forest fires. However, if the dry conditions continue the oak forests too will not remain unaffected by the forest fires. It will be more difficult to control fires in oak forests. Considering this, he has directed departmental officials to undertake special measures in April and May. Forest range officers and field workers should remain alert 24 hours and all forest officers must remain in their area of posting to discharge their responsibilities during the said period. The forest officers should also attempt to inspect their areas on one-third of the days in a month. Leaves for divisional forest officers and deputy conservators of forests should be approved only in unavoidable circumstances. Apart from this, Bhartari will hold video conference with officials concerned of Garhwal and Kumaon to review the status of forest fires every week.
