Amidst a worsening forest fire crisis in Uttarakhand, the recent death of a 65-year-old woman in Rishikesh has added to the toll, bringing the total fatalities to five.
The blaze, which has already consumed approximately 1196 hectares of land since November last year, has emerged as the deadliest wildfire season in the state since 2021. Data from the Forest Survey of India underscores the severity of the situation, with 125 out of 157 large fires recorded across the country concentrated in Uttarakhand. While the area affected by the fires has yet to surpass the levels seen in 2021, experts attribute the surge in wildfires to rising temperatures and exceptionally dry weather conditions experienced during the winter and spring months.
The tragic death of Savitri Devi in Rishikesh highlights the human cost of the inferno, with previous casualties reported in the Kumaon region. Factors contributing to the escalating crisis include agricultural waste burning and the activities of anti-social elements, as cited by forest officials. Despite ongoing efforts by the forest department, which has appointed nodal officers for each district, the fires continue to spread, particularly in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. Data reveals a staggering 910 major forest fires since November 2023, intensifying after mid-April due to rising temperatures and the absence of rainfall. Residents and experts alike have expressed concern over the unprecedented scale and reach of the fires, which have encroached upon upper reaches of the state. While the India Meteorological Department forecasts rain from Tuesday onwards, gusty winds pose a potential challenge, potentially exacerbating the spread of fires to new areas.
In response to the escalating crisis, the forest department has intensified its efforts, but the road ahead remains challenging. With Uttarakhand grappling with a surge in forest fires, a concerted and multi-faceted approach involving proactive measures, community engagement, and sustainable forest management practices is imperative to mitigate the impact and prevent further loss of life and biodiversity. “Most of the forest fires in the state are man-made. We have been taking strict action against miscreants who have been setting fire to the forests,” said Nishant Verma, additional principal chief conservator of forests. “Since the beginning of the year, we have registered 383 cases in various districts. In these cases, 315 people are unidentified and 60 are named. Our efforts to identify those unnamed in these cases are underway,” Verma said. Since November last year, 930 incidents of forest fires have been reported in the state in which over 1,196 hectares of forest land have been damaged.
