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Dehradun/New Delhi, May 1: The forest fire in Uttarakhand has spread over 1900 hectares and have destroyed the flora and fauna in region. Altogether 6 people have died in the forest fire and number of injured people are increasing with each passing day. As expected, two MI-17 helicopter have pressed into service to control the fire and the Centre has allocated Rs 5 crore for the fire-fighting operations.
Speaking to ANI on government’s preparedness, Ministry of Environment and Forests’ Special Secretary SS Negi, who is also the Director General of the (Forests) in the MoEF, said, “This is a cycle, same happened in 2012.” Negi said that the Union Ministry has taken all the precautions and have inducted teams of National Disaster Relief Force, SDRF, Indian Army, Indian Air Force and state police. He said that Union Home Ministry is very concerned about this wild fire. Among the worst affected districts are Chamoli, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Almora, Pithoragarh and Nainital. ALSO READ: Uttarakhand Forest Fire: Six killed, several injured; 10 developments
In order to douse, the IAF have pressed two MI-17 helicopter into service and is trying to control the fire in the worst-hit Nainital and Pauri districts. Till now more than 1,900 hectares of forest have been gutted under the rage of fire and calculation of the loss of fauna is yet to be ascertained. Giving more information about the rescue operations, Negi said, “Within one to two days, the situation will be under control. I held a meeting with DG of forest survey of India, have given pre-fire alert to Uttarakhand for assistance.”
Saying that these type of incident also takes place in various parts of India, Negi said that he has asked for the technical support. However, he said that behind igniting the fire, there were some notorious people involved, who have been arrested. He said, “Some notorious elements involved have been caught in Pauri and other districts setting fire to forest,have been handed over to police.” Negi added that the Union Home Ministry is in touch with them and are monitoring the whole incident.
According to sources, the wild fire has damaged 72 hectares of forest land in Rudraprayag district, which has affected 42,000 villagers living in 82 villages. Similar is the situation in Chamoli district where 200 hectares of forest land is under fire affecting 40,000 villagers in 200 villages. On Saturday, Principal Conservator of Forest (PCF) B P Gupta said that the scale of forest fire in in Uttarakhand this time has been bigger due to little or no rain during winter at most places. Gupta also informed that Union Minister Prakash Javadekar had earmarked Rs 5 crore for the fire-fighting operations, while the Prime Minister’s Office and the Home Ministry are monitoring the situation.
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