Uttarakhand High Court Requests Expert Opinion on Artificial Rain to Address Forest Fires

The Uttarakhand High Court is exploring the feasibility of artificial rain to mitigate forest fires. A hearing is set for November 28, focusing on expert insights and state government actions.

The Uttarakhand High Court has scheduled November 28 for the next hearing on multiple suo motu public interest litigations concerning frequent forest fires in the region. Professor Ajay Rawat is expected to participate via video conferencing to offer his expert insights. Previously, the court instructed the state government to present an action plan within a fortnight.

During a recent session, Chief Justice G Narendra and Justice Subhash Upadhyay issued several directives to the state government. These included filling vacant positions in the Forest Department within six months and empowering gram panchayats. The court also emphasised continuous forest monitoring throughout the year.

Forest Fire Management Strategies

The court inquired about the feasibility of artificial rain, considering the state's geographical conditions. This question arose as part of ongoing efforts to address forest fire challenges effectively. The court had previously taken suo motu cognizance of the case titled "In the Matter of Forest Area, Forest Health, and Wildlife Conservation."

Repeated instructions have been given to the state government regarding forest fire management. Despite guidelines established in 2016, there were concerns about insufficient actions taken by authorities to mitigate forest fires. The court was informed about the increasing number of fires across Uttarakhand.

Village-Level Committees Proposal

The petition highlighted that while helicopters were being used to douse fires, this method was expensive and not fully effective. Instead, it proposed forming village-level committees for more efficient fire management. The court had previously directed the establishment of such committees to prevent and control forest fires.

The Uttarakhand High Court's proactive measures aim to enhance forest conservation efforts in the state. By involving local communities and experts, it seeks sustainable solutions to recurring forest fire issues.

With inputs from PTI