The incidents of forest fires are increasing in Himachal due to drought. There have been 307 incidents of forest fire from April 1 to 18. In this, forest wealth worth crores of rupees and lakhs of wild animals were burnt alive. Rampur forest circle alone had the highest number of 97 arson incidents in 18 days. According to the Forest Department, 2372.70 hectare area has been affected due to forest fire. Usually, there were not so many incidents of forest fire in the month of April, but this time in the first fortnight of March and April, due to drought due to severe heat, the incidents of forest fire are increasing.
There are total 2026 forest beats in Himachal Pradesh. 339 one beat is very sensitive, 667 sensitive and 1020 beat is normal. In Bilaspur 27, Chamba 18, Dharamshala 37, Hamirpur 9, Kullu 12, Mandi 82, Rampur 35, Nahan 32, Shimla 49, Wildlife Dharamshala 17, GHNV Shamshi 9 forest beats are very sensitive. There are more incidents of forest fire in these every year. The population settled along the forests usually set fire to burning bushes etc. in their fields and gardens. Due to drought, the fire is not controlled and it spreads in the forests. Similarly, some people who smoke bidi-cigarettes throw them on the road without extinguishing them. Many times fire spreads in the forests due to this.
