Uttarakhand forest dept focusing on efforts to prevent forest fires with help of local traditions, people

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 8 : Forest Department Chief Dhananjay Mohan said that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is constantly reviewing the forest fire and giving guidelines.
"Focus is being laid on efforts to prevent forest fires with the help of local traditions and local people," he said.
"Special focus is also being done on water conservation and tree planting, which will increase moisture and stop the fire, along with this, focus is being done on Pirul control," Mohan added.
He mentioned that those who do good work on preventing forest fires will be rewarded. Preparations are being made to equip forest workers with insurance.
He further stated that staff officers posted at the headquarters have also been sent to the field.
The Forest Department Chief stated that the incidence of major fires has reduced, now there are only 15 cases. So far 388 cases have been registered, and 66 named cases have been registered. There is no information yet about how much damage was caused to the wildlife.
Meanwhile, amid concern over the forest fires in Uttarakhand, the state's Forest Department has taken strict action against 17 employees for negligence in controlling the blaze.
Two of them have been issued show cause notices, four have been attached and 11 employees have been suspended.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has held regular meetings concerning forest fires and expressed the government's determination to deal with the problem.
"Forest fire is being controlled and a lot of difference can be seen in the last two to three days. Since the Char Dham Yatra is going to begin soon, we are trying to bring the fire under control. Today, in the meeting we had discussions on the Char Dham Yatra. I would like to request the pilgrims of the Yatra to follow the guidelines and that we ensure the Char Dham Yatra is clean and green," Dhami told ANI.