Forest fires continue to rage in Palampur

Our Correspondent

Palampur, June 17

Incidents of fires have been reported from 20 pine forests of Palampur and its adjoining areas in the past two days.

With the rise in mercury, Mehanja, Kandi, Gopalpur, Rakh, Bhagotla, Jhakhni and Bindravan forests have been on fire for the past two days. The number of fire incidents is increasing by the day and the Forest Department is apparently helpless.

Forest officials, associated with the fire control campaign, said in the absence of adequate financial support for taking preventive measures, the incidents of fire were increasing. They said the Forest Department had been unable to take even the minimum required preventive measures — controlled burning and maintenance of fire lines — this year. According to the norms, controlled burning should be carried out at least in one-third of the total area susceptible to fire. The total area under pine forests, where controlled burning is required, is 1,50,000 hectare and preventive measures are to be carried out over 50,000 hectare. Controlled burning enables to destroy the inflammable material which gets accumulated on the forest floor.