PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Jyotirmath
After scanty rain and snowfall during winter, forest fires have once again started causing problems. The jungles in Chopda and Gothinda village in the Badrinath forest division are experiencing forest fires which are now threatening cowsheds in Chopda and have reached Junidhar village. Many hectares of forests have been affected by the fire so far, the locals said. Meanwhile, the Forest department personnel are working to control the wildfires.
The forest fires in the Tharali block of Karnprayag in the district have caused smokey skies in the entire area with people in some areas also experiencing breathing issues. Pine jungles have caught fire and the wildfire is spreading further. This area is known for pine forests and steep boulder-cliffs. The resin-rich pines are catching and spreading the fire in the area with some of the boulders affected by the fire landing on the Tharali-Dewal State highway, posing danger to those using this road.
