'All forest fires in Himachal doused'
May 04, 2016 13:39
Himachal Pradesh forest department chief says all forest fires in the state have been doused.
Summer fires in Himachal Pradesh's grasslands and forests have so far led to 378 incidents, mainly in the low hills, and destroyed flora and fauna in over 3,000 hectares, a senior forest official had said on Monday.
Summer fires in Himachal Pradesh's grasslands and forests have so far led to 378 incidents, mainly in the low hills, and destroyed flora and fauna in over 3,000 hectares, a senior forest official had said on Monday.
"The sudden rise in mercury and the prolonged dry spell are mainly the reasons for these forest fires. Most of the fire-related cases are from the Shivalik ranges in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur districts and a majority of them are ground fires," principal chief forest conservator SP Vasudeva said.
Records of the forest department said 22 per cent
or 8,267 sq.km of the total forest area in the state is fire-prone. A
majority of the fires were reported from the pine forests since during
summer, the trees shed pine needles that are highly inflammable due to
the rich content of turpentine oil.
Billowing smoke from the hills of Shimla, Kasauli, Chail, Dharampur and Nahan towns were seen in the last few days.
The fire had also temporarily disrupted the railway route between Kalka and Shimla in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.
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