Wednesday, 24 APRIL 2024 | PNS | BAGESHWAR
Forest fires have continued to rage in various parts of the State fuelled by dry conditions and rising temperatures. More than 36 incidents of forest fires have been reported in the Pithoragarh district so far this season. The light rain witnessed in various parts of the State in recent days has not had a major impact on the forest fires.
Since last Friday, forest fires have been reported in Didihat, Pithoragarh, Munakot, Kanalichina, Berinag, Rai Agar, Dharamghar and other forest ranges in the district. So far this season, 52.5 hectares of forest has been damaged in 36 fire incidents. Nine incidents have occurred in reserve forests and more than 27 in civil and Panchayat forests. The fires are estimated to have caused damage worth lakhs of rupees so far. Forest fires have been reported in various parts of the Kumaon region, especially in pine forests which are susceptible to fires due to the high resin content in the wood and pine needles (pirul). The Lok Sabha election, for which polling was held on April 19, resulted in staff of various departments being deputed to election duty. However, the personnel have returned from election duty and are focusing their efforts on tackling the forest fires. Divisional forest officer Ashutosh Singh has requested the villagers to cooperate in preventing and extinguishing the forest fires.
