Nainital, situated in Uttarakhand, is currently facing a dire situation with extensive forest fires, described as the most severe in recent memory. Within just a few days, the hill town has witnessed a staggering number of incidents of forest fires. Since Friday, acres of valuable forest land have succumbed to the relentless flames. Responding promptly to the crisis, both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army have been mobilised to assist in containing the blaze wreaking havoc in Nainital. Additionally, collaborative efforts between central and state agencies are in progress to combat the inferno, which even reached the High Court Colony in Nainital by Saturday.
What’s behind this surge in incidents?
Forest officials attribute the recent surge in incidents in Kumaon to the heightened dry conditions resulting from a heat wave in the neighbouring lower areas of Champawat and Nainital districts, which share a border with Nepal. Meanwhile, intensified efforts are underway to quell the ongoing inferno and prevent new occurrences in the most heavily impacted zones of Nainital, Haldwani, and Ramnagar forest divisions.
Higher fire incidents are reported in March, April and May due to ample availability of dry biomass following the end of winter and amid the prevailing summer season. Experts say fuel load from dry leaves, oxygen, and high temperatures are responsible for the surge in fires. As per the Forest Survey of India (FSI) website, fires particularly occur in dry deciduous forests.
According to the latest biennial report from the FSI, Uttarakhand’s total geographical area spans 53,483 square kilometres. Remarkably, forest cover constitutes 24,305 square kilometres, accounting for a substantial 44.5% of the total land. Within these forested areas, the FSI classifies 0.2% as extremely fire-prone, 1.6% as very highly prone, 9.3% as highly prone, 21.7% as moderately prone, and 67.25% as less fire-prone.
Moreover, the Uttarakhand forest department oversees approximately 13 forest types scattered across an estimated 25 lakh hectares.
The prolonged dry spell spanning several weeks in the hill state has resulted in a notable increase in forest fire occurrences, particularly in the Kumaon region.
A ban has been instituted on the construction of houses and car washing until the situation is effectively managed. Urgent meetings have been called for in each gram sabha to raise awareness among residents about refraining from burning garbage.
The forest department is actively engaging in raising awareness about forest fires by dispatching personnel to villages across the hills. Residents are being urged to promptly report any forest fires to authorities and to abstain from burning garbage openly or carelessly discarding burning cigarette butts or bidis in forested areas.
Furthermore, people are being encouraged to inform authorities if they witness anyone igniting fires in the forests, with promises of rewards from the forest department for such reports, legal action will be pursued against individuals found setting fire to the forests under the Forest Act 1927.
It’s noted that the practice of burning forests to obtain fresh grass for cattle is widespread in the hills of Uttarakhand. Consequently, the forest department has revoked leave for its officials until the fire situation is completely controlled. Leave applications will only be considered in cases of medical emergencies, as highlighted by Dhami. Additionally, the Indian Air Force has deployed a Mi-17 V5 helicopter in Nainital and its surrounding areas to combat the flames. Equipped with a Bambi bucket boasting a capacity of 5,000 litres.
The air force helicopter utilised a “Bambi Bucket,” also recognised as a helicopter bucket or helibucket, to gather water from Bhimtal Lake, situated near Nainital, and then dispersed it over the engulfed forests to combat the blaze.
