Forest Dept to blame for raging fires: Left leaders

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 3

Leaders o the CPI, CPM and the CPI (ML) have expressed concern at raging forest fires in the state. They accuse the Forest Department and the state administration of slow in controlling the fires that have caused loss of natural resources and damage to the rich biodiversity in the state.

The left leaders, namely Rajendar Singh Negi (CPM), Anand Singh Rana (CPI) and Indresh Maikhuri CPI (ML), lamented that Forest Department officials were aware of the fact that the incidents of forest fire would rise as there was less snowfall and rain this winter but did nothing to mitigate the problem.

The Left leaders criticised President’s rule in the state and said the Governor too was slow in addressing the issue of forest fires and drought-like conditions and called a meeting on April 28 while fire incidents had started one and a half month ago. The people of the state had paid dearly due to this delayed reaction in addressing the problem, they alleged.

They also criticised Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s misleading statement that there had been no loss of life in forest fires, which is untrue.

Eight deaths had been reported till now and more than 12 persons had been injured but still Rajnath ignored the loss of lives in the state, indicating the bias of the Central government against Uttarakhand. The role of the Members of Parliament, including Rajya Sabha MPs Raj Babbar and Mahendar Sigh Mahra, had also been disappointing as they did not effectively raise the issue in Parliament.

They demanded a probe to ascertain the role of the timber mafia in forest fires. They said criminal proceedings should be launched against forest officials who were found wanting in controlling the incidents of forest fires.