116 forest fire incidents in 24 hours, over 1,500 hectares destroyed

Over the past 24 hours, the state has witnessed a surge in fire incidents, with 116 reported cases leading to the destruction of 1,582.6 hectares of forest, according to the Fire Department. Since April 1, there have been 533 fire incidents, damaging a total of 4,874.9 hectares of land.

The Forest Department data highlights that from Sunday evening to Monday evening, Dharamshala Circle was the hardest hit, with 29 fire incidents. Other affected areas included Bilaspur Circle with 17 fires, Hamirpur with 22, Mandi with 16, Nahan with 10, Solan with 12, and both Rampur and Shimla with 1 incident each. Chamba reported 3 fire incidents.

The most significant forest loss occurred in Solan Circle, where 374.5 hectares were destroyed. Bilaspur followed with 302 hectares lost, Mandi with 331.25 hectares, Nahan with 212.3 hectares, and Hamirpur with 211 hectares. Dharamshala experienced 120.55 hectares of forest loss, while Chamba and Shimla each lost 3.5 hectares. Rampur reported the smallest loss with 2 hectares affected.

Noteworthy that as per a data by Forest department of Himachal Pradesh, in 2023-24 (Last year) a total of 99 forest fires were reported in summer season. Wherein in 2022-23 , the number of forest fires reported in summer season were  765. As per department web site data even today, two forest fires have been reported so far.

Pertinent to mention that forest fire season is accounted from April 15^th to July 15^th every year. Last year Gods had been kind, as regular downpours were being witnessed and therefore lesser forest fire incidents are reported, however this year the prolonged dry spell has triggered number of forest fires.

This alarming increase in fire incidents underscores the urgent need for enhanced preventive measures and effective firefighting strategies to protect the state’s forests and mitigate environmental damage. Moreover it also highlights the lacking preparations by the stakeholder departments.