Wednesday, 08 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Forest fires continued at different locations across the State on Tuesday. However, factors like the light rains witnessed in some mountainous regions have brought down the number of large active forest fires to an extent in some areas even as authorities struggled to bring the fires under control in other areas. Considering the seriousness of the situation, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has postponed his engagements outside the State and is set to review the status of forest fires in the State today.
According to information provided by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) there were 46 large fire events active in various parts of the State on Tuesday. This was the highest number of large fire events active in any State or Union Territory on Tuesday, according to the FSI. More than 1,000 hectares of forest land has been affected by forest fires in the State so far.
Meanwhile, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami who is campaigning for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, deferred his scheduled programmes and is slated to reach Dehradun where he will chair a meeting to review efforts being undertaken to control forest fires on Wednesday. He said that the State government is working on all fronts. In addition to taking the help of the armed forces, officials have also been directed to act on ground zero. The government is also taking strict action against mischievous elements setting the forests on fire, he said. Along with monitoring the status of forest fires in the State the CM will also review preparations for the Char Dham Yatra, potable water supply during the ongoing summer and preparations for the coming monsoon season, officials said.
