Forest fires leave 3 dead, 14 injured

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 2

Three persons have died, 14 have been injured and three have been arrested for allegedly causing forest fires that have devastated 3185 hectares of forest area in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand, Additional Chief Secretary S Ramaswamy said.

Briefing mediapersons today, Ramaswamy said, “Three persons have been arrested one from Pithoragarh and two from Nainital for causing deliberate fire and 46 cases have been registered in this fire season (February 15-June 15, 2016),” he said.

“Out of the 46 cases, one FIR and 45 cases have been registered under H2 clause of the Forest Act that mandates imprisonment for three to six years,” said Ramaswamy.

Amid reports about of the involvement of locals in the fire incident, Ramaswamy said, “We cannot verify these reports at the moment, but the two persons, who were arrested from Nainital, are from outside the state,” he said.

The actual count of destruction of floral and fauna will only take place after the fire will be brought under control, so far the department has information about the death of seven animals that were domesticated by people living in the forest areas.

All injured and dead will receive a compensation amount according to the norms. Meanwhile, Ramaswamy maintained that the fire was under control in the state and out of the 271 incidents of fire that were reported in the state today, the authorities had managed to douse 232 incidents till the evening.

“Our strategy has begun to bear fruits as in comparison to yesterday when 73 active fire incidents were reported, today the number has gone down to 43,” he added. Around 10,000 persons both the police and fire men are engaged in the firefighting operation.

While MI-17 helicopters continued fighting fire in Nainital and Pauri districts, Ramaswamy said the helicopters were carrying 6,000 litre of water in barney basket for dousing the flames.

“Today, the MI-17 helicopters made five sorties in Nainital and three in Pauri. The sorties will reduce or increase depending on the ground situation. Till the time the rain do not arrive, these helicopter will continue to remain in readiness,” he said.

Significantly, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet Secretary and the Ministry of Defence continue to remain in touch with the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand on this matter.