Haldwani: Uttarakhand, known as a forest state, often faces the challenge of forest fires. The fire season usually lasts from February 15 to June 15, but this year flames have appeared even in winter. On Wednesday, the situation turned serious when a forest fire broke out near CM Pushkar Singh Dhami’s public meeting in Nainital district.
The incident occurred during CM Dhami’s inspection of the Jamrani Dam project in the Bhimtal assembly constituency. While he was addressing locals, flames and smoke from the forest above the dam were clearly visible. The sudden fire created panic among administrative and forest department officials present at the venue.
Fire near Jamrani Dam project
The fire erupted on the hill directly above the Jamrani Dam project. Despite the Forest Department’s claims of controlling fires, the ground reality showed otherwise as the blaze spread quickly. Officials immediately dispatched a forest team to the site to extinguish the flames. Resources were mobilized to bring the situation under control.
Panic among officials
The appearance of flames during the Chief Minister’s address diverted the attention of officials from the program to the fire. Administrative staff and forest officers rushed to coordinate firefighting efforts. The incident highlighted the seriousness of forest fire threats in Uttarakhand, even outside the usual fire season.
CM Dhami’s response
Chief Minister Dhami acknowledged forest fires as a major challenge for the state. He said, “Forest fires pose a big challenge for us. We are on full alert to prevent them. Departments have been instructed to remain in alert mode 24 hours a day and take immediate action on such incidents.”
Forest fire challenge in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand’s mountainous terrain and dry conditions make it highly vulnerable to forest fires. Every year, thousands of hectares of forest are affected, causing damage to biodiversity and posing risks to nearby villages. The Jamrani incident has once again raised concerns about preparedness and the need for stronger preventive measures.