Uttarakhand’s Forest Fire Fight: A Struggle for Infrastructure

Uttarakhand is severely lacking in essential infrastructure for effective forest fire management. An NGT report highlights deficiencies like inadequate firefighting equipment, insufficient patrolling vehicles, and poor communication devices. It calls for government intervention and improved conditions for forest personnel.

Uttarakhand is grappling with a significant shortfall in the infrastructure necessary for managing forest fires effectively, according to a report presented to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding leaf burning in the Badkot forest range.

The report, prepared by advocate Gaurav Bansal, points out urgent shortages in firefighting equipment, inadequate patrolling vehicles, and a lack of vital communication tools needed for efficient coordination during emergencies.

The document calls for urgent government action to allocate adequate funds and improve conditions for forest personnel, suggesting that such staff, sacrificing their lives in duty, should be honored as martyrs.

(With inputs from agencies.)