Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Haldwani and convened a meeting with forest department officials to address the escalating forest fires in Nainital. During this meeting, he also issued directives to the water institution officials concerning the drinking water scarcity. The gathering included the Kumaon Commissioner and District Magistrate, among other administrative officers. The CM emphasized the need for teamwork across all departments to tackle the crisis efficiently.
According to reports, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami instructed the cancellation of leaves for forest department officers and employees until the end of the fire season. Moreover, on Saturday afternoon, the Chief Minister carried out an aerial survey of the Nainital region to assess the damage caused by forest fires. He asserted that strict action would be taken against those responsible for igniting the fires and reassured the constant efforts being made to bring the forest fires under control.
In actuality, the problem of forest fires in Uttarakhand has become an annual challenge, which is also causing a steady increase in the state's temperatures. This year alone, approximately 708 hectares of forest land have been devastated by fires. A number of cases have been registered in this regard. To date, Uttarakhand has witnessed 584 cases of forest fires, with the Kumaon region being the hardest hit, recording 322 incidents. In the Garhwal region, there have been 211 forest fire incidents, with 51 cases reported in the administrative forest area.
Three individuals were caught at the site of the fires in the Nainital region, where nearly 100 hectares of land have been turned to ash. The forest fires are persisting in the Bageshwar area of the Kumaon region. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has kept a close eye on the fires and has instructed officials to remain on high alert around the clock. Following the Chief Minister's stern stance, the forest department has taken rigorous action. Those caught at the scene have been arrested and sent to jail.
