Uttarakhand's United Front Against Forest Fires: Community & Technology Unite

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami calls for public participation and departmental coordination to tackle forest fires. Emphasizing lessons from past incidents, he advocates for social engagement, strong action against arsonists, and leveraging local and modern methods for effective management.

In a bid to tackle the recurring threat of forest fires, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has underscored the importance of public involvement and interdepartmental coordination. Speaking at a forest fire control mock drill in Dehradun, Dhami urged officials to draw lessons from past fire incidents and engage communities actively in preventive measures.

Dhami's directives came during an exercise organized by the State Disaster Management Authority, NDMA, and Union Home Ministry. He stressed the critical role of coordinated efforts among departments and directed Additional Chief Secretary RK Sudhanshu to mobilize collective action against the menace. The effectiveness of models like Shitalakhet and traditional water conservation techniques was highlighted, with a call for the Jalagam department's involvement.

Addressing the severe challenges posed by forest fires, which devastate both resources and wildlife, Dhami called for extensive awareness campaigns and innovative control strategies. During the drill, 16 critical locations across six districts were earmarked for targeted exercises. Dhami expressed confidence in enhanced preparedness and thanked the Union Home Ministry for supporting with modern fire prevention tools.