Uttarakhand: Forest Fires Destroy Over 3,000 Hectares Of Green Cover, Congress Claims Govt Fumbled Response

Large parts of forests in Uttarakhand are under massive fires. As temperature rise worsens the situation, the state government is feeling the heat.

According to the forest department of Uttarakhand, as per this report, 3399 hectares forest cover has been gutted in 1451 forest fire incidents this year.

Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat commented on the current government's handling of the ongoing disaster. He said, "The government has done nothing except giving political speeches. The air force has only been requested to arrive but during our tenure the air force was summoned without any delay. Therefore, the former government was more successful in tackling the fire."

Last week, Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat reprimanded the concerned forest officials. He questioned them on "unpreparedness" in dealing with the situation. Congress, as expected, has picked the issue for attacking the government.

In Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli and Rudraprayag are affected. In Kumaon, the forest fires have affected Nainital, Champawat, Bageshwar and Almora. According to this report, locals in Pauri Garhwal have blamed the government for inaction.

Last week, according to this report, Chief Minister Rawat had demanded "quick action" from concerned forest department officials in a video conference. “If you claim that the we are equipped to deal with the forest fires then where are the results?” the report  quoted him saying.

The situation is expected remain grim till the arrival of rainfall. Meanwhile, Trivendra Rawat government is making efforts to douse the fires.