As wildfires continue to ravage Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court faces mounting pressure to address the escalating environmental crisis. With hectares of precious forest land engulfed in flames, urgent action is imperative.
Supreme Court’s Response: A Glimmer of Hope
In response to the pressing issue, the Supreme Court has been petitioned to prioritize the matter for urgent listing. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the apex court has directed the advocate to circulate an email signaling its intent to consider expediting the proceedings. Notably, the advocate highlighted three longstanding petitions spanning four years, all centered on forest fire-related concerns.
A State in Peril: The Toll of Destruction
The urgency of the situation is underscored by reports of fresh outbreaks in key regions like Nainital and Rudraprayag, where flames have devoured approximately 33.34 hectares of forested terrain. In response to the crisis, both the Indian Army and Indian Air Force were mobilized last week to support firefighting operations.
Mobilizing Resources: A Unified Response
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the deployment of military helicopters to aid in fire suppression efforts across the state. However, despite concerted efforts, the situation escalated further as the fires reached Nainital, engulfing vast expanses of greenery over the weekend.
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat emphasized that addressing the ongoing forest fires in Uttarakhand requires increasing humidity levels in forested areas. He noted that a comprehensive plan for this purpose was formulated during the 2015-16 period.
Criticism of Government Response: A Political Standpoint
Rawat also criticized the state government for what he perceived as a lack of seriousness in addressing the escalating forest fires. Over the past 2-3 days, numerous incidents of fire have been reported in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. As of 4 pm on Sunday, a total of eight forest fire incidents in the state have been reported along with four occurring in the Kumaon region alone.
Tracking the Fires
As the situation unfolds, reports indicate a troubling escalation, with several new fire incidents. With the toll mounting, urgent intervention is needed to contain the devastation and safeguard Uttarakhand’s natural heritage. Amidst the raging crisis, the Supreme Court’s potential intervention offers a glimmer of hope. With lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems at stake, swift and decisive action is required to usher in resilience and restoration.
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