Himalaya Harbinger, Uttarakhand Bureau.
To mitigate the risks of forest fires, the Uttarakhand Forest Department will install advanced weather measuring instruments across forest ranges. These devices will monitor critical parameters such as humidity, air pressure, wind speed, and fire danger ratings, enabling timely preventive measures.
Chief Forest Conservator Dhananjay Mohan said, “The data collected from these instruments will be sent daily by forest officers to a master control room established in the divisional forest offices. From there, it will be relayed to the headquarters to ensure prompt action if a fire risk is detected.”
The forest fire season, spanning February 15 to June 15, witnesses the highest incidence of such disasters. Preparations for this period are underway, with clear directives issued to Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs). Himanshu Bagri, DFO of Terai Eastern Forest Division, said, “We have received guidelines to install weather instruments and take all necessary steps to safeguard forests during the fire season.”
In case of high fire risk, range teams will be placed on alert, sensitive areas will see increased patrolling, and public awareness campaigns will be launched in vulnerable communities. “If needed, we will mobilize resources from other divisions for immediate assistance,” Bagri added.
Wildlife expert Pran Chadha said, “Weather monitoring will revolutionize forest fire prevention. Timely data can save thousands of hectares of forests and protect biodiversity from devastation. The project is expected to enhance preparedness and minimize damage from forest fires, ensuring a safer environment for both humans and wildlife”.
