The forest fire situation in Uttarakhand appears to be under control, thanks to swift action by the state’s forest department. As of now, authorities have registered 388 cases related to forest fires, with 60 individuals named in connection with the incidents. Tragically, five people have lost their lives due to the fires—four of whom were Nepali workers in Almora, and one was an elderly woman in Pauri.
In response to the crisis, Uttarakhand authorities have taken decisive action against those deemed negligent in preventing forest fires. According to Dhananjay Mohan, 17 personnel have faced major disciplinary action, with 10 already suspended. Overall, forest fires have ravaged about 1300 hectares of land, necessitating a strong response.
On Wednesday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting to discuss ongoing measures to combat forest fires and to prepare for the upcoming monsoon season. Dhami has directed all secretaries to visit their respective districts to conduct field inspections and implement effective strategies to prevent further fires. Following Dhami’s instructions, the Forest Department suspended 10 personnel for alleged negligence in fire prevention.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has expressed its concern over the forest fire situation in Uttarakhand, emphasizing that cloud seeding and reliance on rain are not adequate solutions to the problem. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta called on the government to adopt more proactive measures to prevent forest fires.
In response, the Uttarakhand government informed the Supreme Court that since November 2023, there have been 398 forest fires in the state, all of which were determined to be man-made. These findings underscore the need for more stringent enforcement and preventive measures to avoid further loss of life and damage to the environment.
The situation remains critical, but with a robust response from the state government and closer monitoring by higher authorities, there is hope that the forest fire crisis in Uttarakhand can be contained.
