Himachal: Over 1,500 forest fire incidents reported, 13,000 hectares damaged

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 5 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh forest department has recorded over 1,500 forest fire incidents in the state. As per data available with the department, over 13,000 hectares of forest land have been damaged in fire incidents reported during the past 50 days.

The fire season in the hill state starts from April 15 to June 30.

“Till now, there have been over 1,500 incidents of forest fire in Shimla. In these incidents, over 13,000 hectares of forest land have been burnt. Forest department officials are working to protect the forests. Fortunately, there has been no human loss, and the forest department team is reaching each fire incident,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Rajiv Kumar said.

Making an appeal to locals for their cooperation with the forest department in curbing forest fires, Rajiv said, “We would like to appeal to the people of the state to cooperate with the department to save the forests from the fire. During the past two years, the forest fires were not as frequent, but with a large accumulation of pine leaves, the incidents are increasing. With development, the public connection with the forests has reduced. So far, there have been no human casualties reported, but it has affected the wildlife in the forests. The forest fire incidents have reduced, and it is ongoing in 4 to 5 places, and we remain on alert for this.”

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, who came to plant a sapling to mark World Environment Day, also expressed concern over the increasing forest fire incidents and appealed to locals not to throw sticks into the forest after burning them.

“People should not throw sticks or burn things in the forest. Fire incidents cause huge losses to the entire state. We should control incidents of forest fire,” said Shiv Pratap Shukla.

The firefighters of the firefighting department of the state also face challenges due to tough conditions and inaccessible areas.

Personnel of Forest & Fire departments brought under control a forest fire incident near Sankat Mochan temple in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla, earlier on Wednesday.

“This is an area near Sankat Mochan temple. We have tried to douse the fire here. People are responsible for these fires, but at the same time, we are getting support from local people. They provided us with two water tanks. We were able to save the residential areas. But it becomes difficult to reach the forest region,” said Jai Prakash, a fireman.