Try artificial rain to douse wildfires: HC to Uttarakhand government
The Uttarakhand High Court has asked the state government to find out the possibility of using artificial rain to douse forest fires raging in various parts of the state. The court further directed the state that the forest fires be extinguished in two weeks. According to forest officials, there are 40 active fire spots in the forests of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions.
Nainital, Almora, Tehri, and Pauri worst-hit districts
Meanwhile, Nainital, Almora, Tehri, and Pauri are the worst-hit districts, the forest officials mentioned. Taking suo motu cognizance of a PIL seeking protection of forest wealth and wildlife, Chief Justice of the High Court RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma on Wednesday asked whether artificial rainfall can be executed to extinguish the forest blaze.
HC instructed to implement NGT's guidelines within six months
Pointing out that the National Green Tribunal's 12-point guidelines issued during the forest fires of 2017 had not been implemented to date, the High Court instructed the government to implement them within six months and make permanent arrangements for disposal of forest fires. It also issued directions to the state government to fill 60 percent of vacancies in the forest department within six months.
Deploy NDRF and SDRF to overcome the fires: HC
The court said gram panchayats must be strengthened so that they could monitor the forests throughout the year. The court also directed the government to provide a budget to NDRF and SDRF and deploy them as well as helicopters to overcome the fires.
Fresh spell of snow, rain partially controlled wildfire on Wednesday
The court had directed Rajiv Bhartari the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest of the state to be present virtually in the court. Bhartari informed the court about the policy and technique of fighting the forest fire. A fresh spell of snow in the high altitude areas of the hill districts and rain in the lower areas on Wednesday partially controlled forest fires in Uttarakhand.
