Raging wildfires in Himachal Pradesh is not only destroying greenery but is posing grave threat to fauna. Forest department is on tenterhooks as it finding difficult to control the havoc that has already eaten up green cover in large part of the state.
Forest fires in the hills is routine in summers, but this time soaring mercury and prolonged dry spell turned jungles into tinder box much before the forest department could prepare itself to deal with situation, though the officials claim that groundwork had been done well in time.
Records available with Hindustan Times, reveals that till date more than 4697 hectares of forestland have been devasted in wildfires. The situation was alarming in the areas, which has rich growth of coniferous trees, particularly Chirh trees.
In Nahan forest circle, during the last three weeks more than 1000 hectares of forestland has been destroyed, a total 54 incident of forest fires has been reported. Forest officials said that extent of damage was more in this forest circle more because of rich plantation of chirh trees which are more prone to fire because of the resin it produces. Chirh trees are tapped to extract turpentine.
Shimla district has recorded maximum of 139 forest incidents in its three circles at Shimla (west) Shimla and Rampur. In Shimla district alone about 1005 hectares of forestland has been destroyed. Forest officials say that high velocity winds blowing in the high altitude areas have made it difficult to control the fire. "In some areas high speeds winds have resulted in fanning the fires" said an official of the Forest department, requesting anonymity.
{{/usCountry}}Shimla district has recorded maximum of 139 forest incidents in its three circles at Shimla (west) Shimla and Rampur. In Shimla district alone about 1005 hectares of forestland has been destroyed. Forest officials say that high velocity winds blowing in the high altitude areas have made it difficult to control the fire. "In some areas high speeds winds have resulted in fanning the fires" said an official of the Forest department, requesting anonymity.
{{/usCountry}}Vast stretch of forest have also been destroyed in confer rich Mandi and Kullu district. Forest in Kullu Shimla, and Mandi district are home to many wild animals including the endangered musk deers. Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Flying Fox, Goral, Indian Hare, Stripped Hyena, Himalayan Ibex, Leopard, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Serow, Blue Sheep, Common giant flying Squirrel and Himalayan Weasel are the animals that are found over here.
Forest officials say in most of the case came to light that man made factors were responsible for the outbreak of forest fires" This time we have are seeking assistance of the join t forest management committee to check forest fires" said Chief Conservator of Forest (Planning and Forest Fires) Avtar Singh, when reached over phone in Shimla.
The forest department though says that it has taken enough steps to control wildfires but in many palaces the protectors of green covers appears to have turned blind eye. " Forest kept raging for almost five days, the forest officials did not turn up" said Shiva pal Singh farmer of Dhaneta village in Palampur forest range.
Forest officials said that this time they have also sought assistance from the home guards to keep vigil on forest fires.