The accused individuals, identified as Brijesh Kumar, Salman and Shukhlal, are residents of Bihar. “They were booked under section 26 of the Indian Forest Act of 1927 and several other sections of the Indian Penal Code,” the police added.
The incident took place in the Chamoli district’s Gairsain area, the district SP Sarvesh Panwar said.
SP Sarvesh Panwar urged the public to refrain from setting fires in the forests or promoting such activities, emphasizing that it is a punishable offense. He has warned that those who violate the law will face consequences.
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Earlier, Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar revealed that multiple cases related to forest fires have been registered across nine districts in the state.
The Police and Forest Departments will work together to identify the affected areas and investigate whether the fires were accidental or intentional. DGP Kumar highlighted the importance of forest and wildlife protection, given that 70 percent of Uttarakhand is covered with forests.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently held a review meeting at Uttarakhand Sadan in New Delhi to discuss strategies for tackling forest fires, addressing the drinking water crisis, and ensuring smooth preparations for the Chardham Yatra. He emphasized the need for advance preparations and fixing responsibilities of senior officers at both headquarters and district levels to effectively control the situation.
Uttarakhand experiences forest fires annually, typically starting in mid-February when trees shed dry leaves and the soil loses moisture due to rising temperatures. The fires continue until mid-June.
