Forest fires increase in Uttarakhand with rising temperatures
The process of forest fires has started again in Uttarakhand. The concern of everyone has increased with reports of over 20 incidents of fire in the forests in a span of four days. Although the rate of spread of fire in the forests is still quite low compared to previous years, the way the weather has changed and temperature has increased, it has increased the challenge. In fact, this time the weather was in favor of the fire fighters since the fire season started on 15 February.
Due to rain-snowfall at regular intervals, the forest fires did not break out earlier. If we look at the departmental data, there were 20 fire incidents in this season till May 18, which has now increased to 43. Looking at the scenario so far, the figure is not more shocking, but the challenge has increased for the coming days.
Conservation of biodiversity is important
Biodiversity of Uttarakhand, enriched by natural beauty, is also unmatched. Apart from Chardham, the state is also the origin of holy Ganga-Yamuna rivers. The state with a forest cover of 71.05 percent is a rich repository of herbs, while the wildlife diversity here is also unique.
More than half of the species of birds found all over the country are found here. Uttarakhand is providing more than three lakh crore eco-system services annually due to water-forest-land. Despite this, there is also a mountain-like challenge in front of biodiversity in this hill state.
Uncontrolled exploitation of bioresources is taking place, so the predators-smugglers are obsessed with wildlife. Unplanned development has also affected the biodiversity here. In view of this, conservation of the rich biodiversity here has to be taken at all levels.
The economy is badly affected due to Corona pandemic and Uttarakhand is also not untouched by it. In view of this, the exercise has now started to bring the economy back on track. In this episode, ecological tourism in Uttarakhand is being seen as a big possibility.
In ecological tourism, tourism activities are conducted without disturbing nature. In this, the standards of physical distance can be properly complied with and income can also be obtained with less number of tourist. In terms of ecological tourism, the conditions of Uttarakhand, full of natural beauty, are very favorable. Six national parks, seven sanctuaries and four conservation reserves as well as other forest areas can promote ecological tourism by following physical distance standards. There is a need to show seriousness on this.
