SRINAGAR: Almost a week after the forest fires started in the Daya Dhar area of Ghordi block Udhampur, officials said it has been finally controlled. The situation changed only after the IAF joined the efforts launched by local fire services, the SDRF and the police.
Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur Indu Kanwal Chib visited Sewna where she interacted with the people to get a first-hand appraisal of the fire. The forest fire was threatening at least four adjoining Panchayats – Sewna, Charat, Ossu and Pakhlai.
“After receiving the information about the fire incident, a team comprising Forest, Police and SDRF, besides local volunteers rushed to the area and started the dousing operation with modern equipment,” a spokesman of the government said. “The DC hailed the efforts of IAF for its help in dousing the forest fire. She added that the fire situation has been brought under control after a long operation with the help of IAF.”
An investigation has been ordered to identify the people who are involved in these fire incidents. Though a report is being compiled, the losses suffered by the forests was not immediately known.
