April 01, 2026 01:23 pm (IST)
Follow us:
President of India condoles the loss of lives due to massive forest fires in Uttarakhand
New Delhi, May 2 (IBNS) President Pranab Mukherjee, on Monday, condoled the loss of lives in Uttarakhand due to massive forest fires which have affected large areas of the state, resulted in large-scale damage to environment.
In his message to Dr. K.K. Paul, the Governor of Uttarakhand, the President has said “I am sad and distressed to know about the massive fires which have affected large areas of the state, causing loss of lives and air pollution as well as damage to environment."
He also said, "I share the grief of those who have lost their near and dear ones and extend my sympathies to all whose lives have been affected. I applaud the efforts of the state government and all rescue personnel as well as civil society organizations to save the environment and our biodiversity as well as human lives. My prayers and good wishes are with the people of Uttarakhand at this difficult juncture."
The Centre on Sunday said it was sending a four-member team of experts to Uttarakhand to monitor the forest fire incidents in the state.
Three Air Force helicopters (1 ALH and 2 MI-17) with Bambi bucket have also been deployed to assist the local administration.
According to media reports, the pre-monsoon forest fire began as early as February and has engulfed 1900 hectares of forest land in 13 districts of Uttarakhand.
Authorities are finding it difficult to contain the fire which is being fanned by dry weather, high temperatures, and windy conditions.
It has also been reported that one of the worst hit areas are the state's wildlife reserves, with 198 hectares gutted in the Jim Corbett National Park, 70 hectares in Rajaji Tiger Reserve and 60 hectares in Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Bengal SIR progress: 47 lakh of 60 lakh adjudicated cases disposed of, Supreme Court informed
Wed, Apr 01 2026
Indian Navy’s INS Trikand wraps up high-profile visit to Mozambique—Here’s why it matters
Tue, Mar 31 2026
‘Unsubstantial allegations’: Calcutta HC dismisses plea on ECI’s officer transfers in Bengal
Tue, Mar 31 2026
Tennis icon Leander Paes joins BJP ahead of Bengal polls
Tue, Mar 31 2026
8 killed, several injured in crowd crush at Bihar temple in Nalanda
Tue, Mar 31 2026