The forest fires in Uttarakhand during April-May this year are being viewed as among the worst in recent memory with a total of 2060 fire incidents being reported by the Uttarakhand forest department up to May 31, 2016, affecting 4412 hectares of forest area wherein about 70 per cent comprised pine forests. Factors like the expansion of human population near forest areas cause forest fires which can cause considerable damage or loss to lives and properties of the people during fire season which generally occurs in India during the period from mid March to mid June.
Considering the information in the state forest department records, the Garhwal region appears to be comparatively more vulnerable to forest fires which have affected 1945.58 hectare land here with 1699.72 hectare being affected in Kumaon region and 718 hectare affected area being under under the purview of the wildlife division. Apart from the loss of life, the forest fire in Uttarakhand this year is estimated to have caused destruction amounting to at least an estimated Rs 46,10,925 in terms of monetary loss. These views were expressed by speakers at the start of a short-term training on forest fire disaster risk mitigation organised by the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), New Delhi and the Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute. The training is being conducted for forest department employees and personnel of the Eco-Task Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) at the institute.
Addressing the gathering, FRI director Savita advised them to hone their skills in use of modern technology and tools like Geographic Information System (GIS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) techniques for the prevention and control of forest fires. Stressing on the need to advance preparations for start of the fire season, she opined that the funds required for this should be facilitated sufficiently by the state governments. The forest-fire crew members and local community members should remain actively involved in efforts to prevent and mitigate forest fires also for safeguarding the ground and forests future generations. The institute director further opined that departments concerned should use remote sensing and GIS technologies during the fire season.
Expressing his views on the occasion, the National Institute of Diaster Management (NIDM) professor AK Gupta, said that mix-groups of forest department staff and personnel of the paramilitary forces would be accorded preference in the management of forest fires especially in the difficult areas. Speaking on the occasion, NIDM senior faculty member AD Kaushik informed the participants about the various training programmes being organised by the NIDM, New Delhi in collaboration with various research institutions of the country.
Addressing the participatnts, the head of the institute’s silviculture divisison and course director Neelu Gera also emphasised the importance of ensuring advance preparation for mitigation of forest fires especially in the Himalayan regions.
The basic purpose of the training is to sensitise personnel of forest departments and paramilitary forces towards the extent of damage caused by forest fires.