Uttarakhand forest fire: Centre sends team of experts

"The team of experts consists of Prof. Santosh Kumar, Executive Director, NIDM, Shri S.P. Vashist, DIG of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Shri K.C. Wadhwa, Special Director, Center for Fire Explosives and Environment Safety and Shri G.C. Misra, Director, Fire Services, Delhi. About 6000 persons from NDRF, SDRF, State Police, Forest Staff and volunteers are also deployed and the situation is under control," read the government statement.

Three Air Force helicopters (1 ALH and 2 MI-17) with Bambi bucket have also been deployed to assist the local administration.

In view of the urgency of the matter, the team of experts will submit its report to MHA within one week after taking the stock of situation, read the statement.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to the Governor of Uttarakhand K.K. Paul regarding the incidents of forest fires in the state and said that 116 rescuers in 3 NDRF teams have already been sent to the state.

The Centre is providing all necessary assistance to Uttarakhand state to control the forest fires and help in containing the damage, he added.
It has been reported that the pre-monsoon forest fire began as early as February and has engulfed 1900 hectares of forest land in 13 districts of Uttarakhand.

Authorities are finding it difficult to contain the fire which is being fanned by dry weather, high temperatures, and windy conditions.

According to latest media reports, six people have died in the fire.

It has also been reported that one of the worst hit areas are the state's wildlife reserves, with 198 hectares gutted in the Jim Corbett National Park,  70 hectares in Rajaji Tiger Reserve and 60 hectares in Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary. The National Highway to Badrinath had to be closed on Thursday as the local authorities were not being able to contain the fire.