Forest Officials Step Up Fire Preparedness in Chamoli District.

Chamoli: Authorities in northern India are ramping up preparations to tackle forest fires, with senior officials conducting on-ground inspections in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.

On Tuesday, Dr Vinay Bhargava, Conservator of Forests and Nodal Fire Officer, reviewed fire management strategies across multiple forest divisions. He chaired a meeting with local officers, assessed crew stations, and visited fire-prone areas. During the inspection, he paid tribute to the late fire watcher Rajendra Singh, acknowledging the risks faced by frontline staff.

Dr Bhargava emphasised that “the safety of all field personnel engaged in fire control is the department’s highest priority.” He directed officials to ensure adequate protective gear, communication tools, and coordination systems for staff working in difficult terrain.

The review covered recent fire incidents, resource availability, and the effectiveness of response systems. Data from the past three years was analysed, including budget allocations under fire plans and incident trends between 15–31 May over the last five years. Divisions such as Badrinath, Kedarnath Wildlife, and Alaknanda Soil Conservation were highlighted for their fire history.

Officials say these measures are critical to curbing forest fire outbreaks, which have become a recurring challenge in Uttarakhand’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem.