DEHRADUN/NAINITAL: A bout of rainfall brought some respite to forest fires blazing in Uttarakhand hills. Since mid-February, the state has lost over 1,300 hectares of green cover in 914 fire incidents, with around 167.6 ha being lost in 104 wildfire incidents on Thursday.
A cumulative loss worth Rs 40 lakh has been recorded so far. In Kumaon, nearly 766 ha forest is affected in 455 fire incidents and losses are estimated at Rs 21.58 lakh while in Garhwal region nearly 430.75 ha is affected in 391 fire incidents causing a loss of Rs 13.32 lakh to the state exchequer. Also, 57 fire incidents in the administration wildlife area affected 103.85 ha of forest cover causing around Rs 10 lakh worth losses.
In terms of forest area gutted and financial losses incurred due to raging fires, Almora district continues to lead with 410 hectares already burnt -- with 308 ha in Almora forest division and 102.65 ha in Almora Civil Soyam limits. It is followed by Pauri Garhwal district where Garhwal divisional forest officer has registered 110.65 ha losses while Civil Soyam Pauri divisional forest officer noted around 87.15 ha gutted in fires -- a cumulative loss of around 197.8 ha in Pauri.
Third in terms of forest area gutted is Pithoragarh district which has lost around 192.75 hectares forests followed by Bageshwar where 132.05 ha area has been gutted. Some locals have alleged forest fires are being lit at quite a few places on purpose by timber mafia and those from the real estate lobby for their own gains.
Meanwhile, fire broke out in the forest in Baldiyakhan, Nainital, late in the evening, the DFO said. Due to strong winds, it spread in the forest, spreading both above and below the Nainital-Haldwani road. As soon as the news spread in the area, the forest department and fire brigade team, consisting 50 people along with DFO Bijulal TR reached the spot.
The forest team had brought the fire under control on Thursday morning, but late in the evening it smoldered again with strong wind. Due to pirul (pine needles) and wind, it took a formidable form.
The divisional forest officer said that the team would be present at the spot till the fire is brought under control. However, authorities said that drizzling in Nainital, which started late evening, will help the teams combat the situation.
