Uttarakhand Forest Fire: Incidents increased, forests burnt more, and death toll also increased... know the shocking figures

Four people died of burns while extinguishing the fire in the forest of Gairad. Forest department employees along with PRD jawans are also involved in this. The ever-increasing fire in the forests of Uttarakhand has become a matter of concern.

On the other hand, the responsibility and challenge of the daily wage workers and forest guards, called the frontline of the forest department, is constantly increasing. It is not easy to fight the red flames with a bottle of water, some food items, and a broom in the bag. Therefore, the top officials of the forest department along with the government should try to know not in the middle of the fire season but before that where the deficiency is falling every year.

More incidents than last year

At present, this time more incidents have happened than last year. More forest has been burnt. More people have also lost their lives. According to the official data of the Uttarakhand Forest Department, from November 2022 to June 30, 2023, 897.61 hectares of forest were burnt in 747 incidents of fire in Uttarakhand. During this period, three people died due to burning in the fire.

Whereas this fire season i.e. between November 2023 and June 13, 1220 fires broke out in the forests of the state. Due to this 1657.67 hectares of forest was reduced to ashes. Ten people have lost their lives so far while trying to extinguish the fire. It can be understood from these figures that despite all the preparations and claims, more forest has been lost this year. Along with this, the death toll has also increased significantly.

The bodies of the employees who were reduced to ashes in the fire in Binsar are telling that in what terrible situation the frontline staff is fulfilling their responsibilities. In such a situation, the question arises again as to why such a situation is being created despite all the claims and preparations.