Uttarakhand wildfires - Government suspends 10 forest personnel

The recent forest fires in Uttarakhand have not only wreaked havoc on the region's natural landscape but have also led to the tragic loss of lives and significant damage to property. According to Dhananjay Mohan, the head of the forest force, the fires have claimed the lives of five individuals and scorched approximately 1,300 hectares of land. The severity of the situation is particularly evident in the Garhwal division and Almora areas, where efforts to contain the fires are currently underway.

In response to the crisis, Mohan has emphasised a strict stance against negligence, resulting in the suspension of ten forest department personnel. Additionally, disciplinary actions have been initiated against several others implicated in the mismanagement of fire prevention measures.

The Uttarakhand CM, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has been actively involved in addressing the situation. He has directed secretaries to conduct thorough on-site inspections in affected areas and implement proactive measures to mitigate the risk of future fires. As a part of these efforts, ten forest department personnel have been suspended based on allegations of negligence in fire prevention duties. Dhami's proactive approach reflects the government's determination to tackle the underlying issues contributing to the recurrence of forest fires in the region.

The severity of the situation has also garnered attention at the national level, with the Supreme Court expressing concern over the ongoing fires. Justices Sandeep Mehta and BR Gavai stressed the need for proactive measures rather than relying solely on reactive strategies such as cloud seeding or rain. They urged the government to take decisive action to prevent future incidents and mitigate the impact of wildfires on the environment and communities.

Furthermore, the Uttarakhand government reports reveal that all 398 forest fires since November 2023 were caused by human activities. It highlights the urgency of implementing stringent preventive measures. This includes enhancing public awareness, enforcing fire safety regulations, and promoting sustainable land management practices to minimise the risk of wildfires in the future.