Dry spell triggers forest fires in state

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 16

A prolonging dry sell has triggered forest and bush fire cases, damaging the green wealth across the state for the last one week. The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has sounded an alert, asking the Forest Department and locals to act as soon as it is spotted.

Every day, 18 to 20 cases of forest fire are reported. The department has yet to assess the exact loss caused by fire to the flora and fauna.

But villagers reveal that forest fire has destroyed small plants, bushes, herbs and small trees in various jungles in Chopal, Rohru, Jubbal-Kotkhai, Theog, Rampur, Kullu and Chamba, Solan, Nalagarh and Nahan forest divisions.

According to inputs received from the field staff and satellite imagery, 110 incidents of forest and bush fires have been reported for last one week till January 14. Himachal is ranked the fifth worst-hit by forest fire.

As the month-long dry spell is showing no signs of easing, the department and the MOEF have sounded alert. “The situation of dry spell is alarming, mainly in Himachal and Uttarakhand, and we are monitoring fire scene after every four hours here,” said Alok Nagar, the state nodal forest officer.

In comparison with 2017, the intensity of forest fire is less severe this year. Last year, the forest fire had burnt 17,257 hectares of forest, including 7,824.58 hectare of natural forest area, 3,299.93 hectare of plantations worth Rs 2.14 crore, in the state.

The department has set up 103 watch towers to keep a vigil on forest fire, but the department lacks resources, fire-fighting equipment and manpower to fight fire, admitted forest officials.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests GS Goraya said, “The department is monitoring fire through satellite imagery and through mobile app linking the forest guards, range officers and block officers and DFOs as a team. As soon as fire is spotted, we rush field staff to the spot to douse it.”

Two women suffer burns

Kullu: Two women suffered major burn injuries while trying to douse a forest fire near Gohan village in Anni subdivision of this district on Tuesday. Kullu SP Shalini Agnihotri said Geeta Devi (33) of Olva village and Neena Kumari (43) of Gohan village were reportedly working in the fields when they spotted the fire in the adjacent forest. She said both were injured while trying to douse the flames and they were rushed to the hospital, Dalash. The police said Geeta suffered major burn injuries and was referred to the IGMC, Shimla. OC