NAINITAL: Uttarakhand govt on Sunday enlisted help of
NDRF
to quell the
forest infernos
inching towards
Nainital town
as the state recorded eight new forest fire incidents, scorching approximately 11.75 hectare
forest land
by afternoon. Most fires occurred in Kumaon region, impacting 5.5 hectare, followed by Garhwal with 1.75 hectare, and Protected Forest Areas (PFA) where 4.5 hectare was affected.
While an IAF MI-17 helicopter had on Saturday managed to contain the blaze near the IAF base camp in Lariyakta, about 6km from Nainital town, the fires continued to rage in other locations on Sunday.
A few offenders were also caught. “Forest officials have apprehended eight individuals attempting to ignite fire in the reserved forest area of Khrisu in Pauri Garhwal and Bageshwar. They face charges under Indian Forest Act and are being presented in court,” Nishant Verma, state nodal officer for forest fires, said.
Meanwhile, NDRF dispatched over 40 personnel to combat the forest fires in Haldwani. Army’s assistance is also being taken in firefighting efforts.
