Massive Forest Fire Threatens Nainital’s High Court Colony, Army Deployed to Combat Blaze

A devastating forest fire in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district has escalated, reaching alarming proportions as flames encroach upon the High Court Colony. The blaze, which erupted near the district headquarters, has wreaked havoc, with 31 new incidents reported in the last 24 hours alone, resulting in the destruction of 33.34 hectares of forest land. The severity of the situation prompted the arrest of three individuals in Rudraprayag for attempting to ignite further fires.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued directives for heightened vigilance and coordinated efforts across all departments to curb the spread of the inferno. The fire’s advancement towards the High Court Colony, nestled amidst the Pines area, poses a grave threat to residents and has disrupted traffic in the vicinity.

In a bid to contain the conflagration, both forest department personnel and army units have been mobilized. Helicopters may soon join the firefighting efforts, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Anil Joshi, an assistant registrar of the High Court and resident of the affected area, expressed concern over the fire’s proximity to residential buildings. While no damage has been reported to the High Court Colony thus far, concerted efforts are underway to stave off the advancing flames.

With sensitive Indian Army installations situated nearby, authorities are intensifying their firefighting endeavors to avert potential calamity. Additionally, boating activities in Naini Lake have been suspended as a precautionary measure.

Nainital Divisional Forest Officer Chandrashekhar Joshi confirmed the deployment of personnel and resources to combat the blaze, comprising 40 Manora Range personnel and two forest rangers.

The toll of forest fires in Uttarakhand has been staggering, with 575 incidents reported since November 1 of the previous year, resulting in the devastation of 689.89 hectares of forest land and substantial economic losses exceeding ₹14 lakh.

In a significant move to curb the scourge of deliberate arson, authorities apprehended three individuals suspected of igniting fires in Jakholi and Rudraprayag. Sheep herder Naresh Bhatt, arrested for setting fires to stimulate new grass growth for his flock, underscores the need for stringent enforcement measures against such hazardous practices.

As Uttarakhand battles this ecological crisis, concerted efforts are imperative to mitigate further damage and safeguard lives, livelihoods, and precious natural resources from the ravages of rampant forest fires.

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