63 ha gutted in 111 forest fire incidents since Feb

Dehradun: This year, at least 63 hectares of forests were gutted in 111 forest fire incidents recorded between Feb 15 and April 17 by Uttarakhand forest department. Last year in the corresponding period, 83 fire incidents had happened in which 76 hectares of forests were gutted.Also, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) has issued around 1,000 alerts, while during that time, the FSI had issued 923 fire alerts. Most recently, the FSI issued fire alerts for forests in Bageshwar, Tehri, Almora and Pauri.Forest department’s nodal officer for forest fires and disaster management, Sushant Patnaik, said, “Preparedness and response to every alert have been quick and focused so far. Quick response teams, mobile crew units and an emphasis on acting promptly within the ‘golden hour’ — the first hour after receiving information about a fire outbreak — are among the key factors contributing to this. Mock drills along with workshops by frontline teams for people living near forests are reflected in the reduced forest area affected, in addition to the sporadic rains in March.”Officials added that this year 5,000 to 6,000 fire watchers will be deployed to help control wildfires, and each of them will be insured a sum of Rs 10 lakh. Personnel working on the ground have also been provided with fire protection kits.Forest officials stated since the Char Dham yatra started on Sunday, forest divisions are expecting a surge in visitors and have been placed on high alert. Measures such as the cancellation of leave for forest personnel, except in exigent circumstances, have been implemented.They added that Badrinath, Kedarnath and Chakrata forest divisions have recorded a higher number of fire incidents so far this year.