U’khand Forest Force chief asks officials to address fire alerts on priority

Forest fires continue to ravage Uttarakhand, with 18 incidents reported on Saturday. The newly appointed Head of Forest Force emphasized reducing response time and involving local communities in firefighting operations. Over 1,000 hectares of forest land have been destroyed since November, with the Kumaon region most affected. Air services to Pithoragarh and Munsiyari remain suspended due to poor visibility from smoke.