Pre-monsoon showers save Uttrakhand from forest fires

DEHRA DUN: Pre-monsoon showers have brought the much-needed relief from forest fire in Uttrakhand, which has lost over 3,500 hectare of its green cover in several areas, including its famous tiger reserves in over 1,400 incidents of fire this summer.

Forest officials said no major fire incident has been reported during the past fortnight as the pre-monsoon rains have cooled the hill state during the period.

"The forest fires have come to zero level," said R B S Rawat, Uttarakhand Principal Chief Forest Conservator.

In March-April, the forest fires created havoc in the jungles of Garhwal and Kumaon regions, including the famous Jim Corbett and Rajaji national parks, house for animals like Asiatic elephants and tigers.

A total of ten people were killed and 15 others, including nine forest personnel, were injured in the various incidents of fire.

As many as 120 forestfire incidents were reported in Jim Corbett National park, Nanda Devi park and Rajaji park, where 390 hectare of jungles were destroyed. However, no loss of wildlife has been reported.

According to an official data, altogether 3,551 hectares of forest has so far been gutted in the fire in this season.

Forest fires are mainly caused by rising temperature in jungles due to which tree leaves especially those belonging to pines become dry and catch fire.