The raging forest fires have become a major problem for the Forest Department which is finding it difficult to control the menace despite its concerted efforts in Tehri district.
A considerable proportion of the forest cover in Narendranagar, Jaunpur, Bhilangana and Thauldhar blocks is up in flames for the past couple of days. Around 37.80 hectares of reserved forest and 3.50 hectares of civil Soyam forest in Tehri division, 30.75 hectares of reserved forest and 4.5 hectares of civil forest land has been affected by the forest fires so far.
The forests in Tipri are also under the grip of forest fire according to local sources. Apart from this the forests in Chaunpa, Udada, Banali, Utkhanda in Narendranagar block, Nailchamni Kotifagul, Balganga in Bhilangana block and Balganga range are also affected by forest fires. Apart from this, forests around 11 villages in the Hindao range and the woods right above Ghansali town are also raging due to forest fire. The forest department has created 38 crew stations from where department staff is being sent to extinguish the fires as and when the information is received.
The department officials claim to be working day and night but are facing considerable difficulty in some places. In some areas, those living in hamlets near forest areas are living in fear of forest fires spreading to their homes. There have been reports of people starting to temporarily shift from such locations till the forest fires are brought under control.
It is pertinent to mention here that the forest fire season in the State starts in February and lasts till June end. Spells of light to heavy rain experienced in different areas of the State in different periods even in May considerably brought down the incidents of forest fires in the initial period of the fire season. However, now with the mercury level rising in various parts of the State, the department is struggling to bring the jungle infernos under control.