Uttarakhand woodland fires: 10 issues to understand - times of India

1. viable causes for the fires

*poor rainfall*intense dryness*local weather exchange*Chir pine timber which are susceptible to catching hearth and that make up 16% of Uttarakhand forests*Pine needles that cover the woodland floor are incredibly combustible*probably, the trees mafia playing dirty

2. Conspiracy theory: How would the trees mafia benefit from a wooded area hearth?

*now not best would the mafia benefit, apparently it would benefit the most, if timber are burnt.*The mafia is allegedly in cahoots with woodland building Corp. officials, as the latter sells trees via public sale, no remember that they are lifeless or dried up.*As heaps of trees were burnt, selling them would bring big revenue to the supplier and benefit the mafia that might purchase them.*Land cleared can be sold in land switch circumstances, which additionally suits builders.

3. not handiest timber, wooded area fires may also singe tourism huge time

Uttarakhand's hill stations draw heaps of tourists each summer time. This yr, significant forest tracts being ablaze have led some involved travelers to cancel or lengthen their holiday. "we now have had many cancellations since the fires began," noted Ashish Arora, who runs a lodge at Sonapani near Mukteshwar.

four. Uttarakhand forest fires may melt glaciers sooner, say experts

Raging forest fires could have a devastating effect on the state's glaciers that are the lifeline of the most important rivers flowing via India's northern plains. based on experts, "black carbon" from smog and ash has covered the glaciers which could make them melt faster.

5. IAF operations

IAF choppers have flown several sorties over Nainital, sprinkling water lifted from a lake to douse the fires.

6.

particularly unhealthy this year

The number of forest fires in the first four months this year has handed the overall variety of fires ultimate 12 months.

7.

Two years of drought and no April showers have made Uttarakhand's forests dry.

8. Three persons had been arrested from Pithoragarh and Nainital for burning dry Chir leaves and stoking the fires. 9. Centre sends team to probe Uttarakhand woodland fires

A 4-member valuable group of specialists, together with special Director Centre for fire Explosives ok C Wadha and director of Delhi fire services G C Misra has reached Uttarakhand to assess the condition and imply feasible cures.

10.

The Uttarakhand high court docket has issued a be aware to the Union ministry of forest and ambiance in the hunt for an in depth record from it on the extent of damage led to via the forest fires in the state and the steps taken to control the blaze.

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