Expressing concern over the “failure” of state officials to control devastating forest fires in Himachal Pradesh, National Convener of Nature Watch India NGO has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and appealed for immediate steps to prevent such “ecological disasters” in State.

National Convener of Nature Watch India, Rajeshwar Singh Negi, said that forests are being destroyed by fires in Himachal Pradesh and blamed that the concerned authorities have failed to initiate required measures to control such incidents in state.

In a memorandum to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, the NGO has accused the forest department for ignoring the basic measures outlined in forest management manuals and those suggested by environmentalists to control forest fires.

Rajeshwar Singh Negi pointed out that as per the reports of the Environmental Investigation Agency and the Forest Survey of India, forest fires in Himachal are caused only by human activities and added that unfortunately, no mechanism has been evolved to restrict human activities in forest areas.