Effective wildfire management in Uttarakhand
The Issue
Forest Fires are a major concern in the hilly state, Uttarakhand. Almost 50 percent forests have been affected by these wildfires in the last five years. The state is economically and ecologically drastically affected each year. Wildlife and human settlements are also affected by the spread of these fires The most crucial time is from March to June and they are constantly on a rise every year. According to reports, the state has already been a witness to 595 fire incidents till May 12. Of these, Tehri Garhwal saw 70 fire incidents, Champawat (60), Pauri Garhwal (68), Dehradun (34), Pithoragarh (27), Rudraprayag (26), Bageshwar (20), Chamoli (15), Haridwar (13), Uttarkashi (12), and Udham Singh Nagar (4). Almora and Nainital are the worst hit districts so far. Numerous GIS/ Real time techniques are supposedly being employed by the forest authorities although no relief has been spotted at the ground level. Many toll free numbers are being circulated to inform the forest officials in case of a fire outbreak but it hasn't been of much help till now. It is known that the causes of fire are majorly man made but less rainfall also has a role to play in this disastrous spread every year. Agricultural practices to reduce pine leaves from litter in the forests to burning of garbage dumps near the forest areas are primary reasons for man made fires which mostly go out of hand.
By a time any action is taken by the forest officials/ fire department, the damage is done which is irreparable. It is estimated that it takes nearly three years for the forest to heal. It is important to spread awareness about this ghastly situation and to involve locals in becoming a solution to the problem, rather than the cause. Instead of totally wiping out Pine trees, it is important that trees like Oak, Rhododendron and Kail are re planted in the mid hilly areas. Efforts should be made to protect the endangered species rather than introducing other exotic species which may or may not survive in this area.
Our community needs to wake up to this call and work together to save our hills. Do your bit in saving the ecology of the hills by signing this petition so that immediate action is taken by the officials and such instances are reduced immediately, if not curbed.
Saving a tree equals to increased possibility of restoring the forest health.
Save forests, save future.
291
The Issue
Forest Fires are a major concern in the hilly state, Uttarakhand. Almost 50 percent forests have been affected by these wildfires in the last five years. The state is economically and ecologically drastically affected each year. Wildlife and human settlements are also affected by the spread of these fires The most crucial time is from March to June and they are constantly on a rise every year. According to reports, the state has already been a witness to 595 fire incidents till May 12. Of these, Tehri Garhwal saw 70 fire incidents, Champawat (60), Pauri Garhwal (68), Dehradun (34), Pithoragarh (27), Rudraprayag (26), Bageshwar (20), Chamoli (15), Haridwar (13), Uttarkashi (12), and Udham Singh Nagar (4). Almora and Nainital are the worst hit districts so far. Numerous GIS/ Real time techniques are supposedly being employed by the forest authorities although no relief has been spotted at the ground level. Many toll free numbers are being circulated to inform the forest officials in case of a fire outbreak but it hasn't been of much help till now. It is known that the causes of fire are majorly man made but less rainfall also has a role to play in this disastrous spread every year. Agricultural practices to reduce pine leaves from litter in the forests to burning of garbage dumps near the forest areas are primary reasons for man made fires which mostly go out of hand.
By a time any action is taken by the forest officials/ fire department, the damage is done which is irreparable. It is estimated that it takes nearly three years for the forest to heal. It is important to spread awareness about this ghastly situation and to involve locals in becoming a solution to the problem, rather than the cause. Instead of totally wiping out Pine trees, it is important that trees like Oak, Rhododendron and Kail are re planted in the mid hilly areas. Efforts should be made to protect the endangered species rather than introducing other exotic species which may or may not survive in this area.
Our community needs to wake up to this call and work together to save our hills. Do your bit in saving the ecology of the hills by signing this petition so that immediate action is taken by the officials and such instances are reduced immediately, if not curbed.
Saving a tree equals to increased possibility of restoring the forest health.
Save forests, save future.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 14 May 2019