It may be due to El Nino effect. Over 142 hectares of Uttarakhand forest lands are on fire almost reaching the nearby Air Force Station the Nanda ranges.
As per forest department, 23 fresh forest fires were reported on Saturday, 31 reported on Friday and 54 on Thursday. On the request of the forest department Indian Air Force deployed fire fighting operations in Kumaon. They say that the fire was first surfaced at Nanda range and later it spreads downwards.
Forest fire had become a frequent issue in Uttarakhand Forest, more so, during the dry and hot months. Natural factor apart, the reason for the forest fire is the careless nature of the tourists and local residents. It is said that the local people will lit the grass for agriculture purposes, while tourist trough cigarettes pr bonfire.
…o0o…