Uttarakhand forest fire: What tourists must know

Mumbai: If you have been planning a trip to Uttarakhand this summer, then you may have to postpone your plans for a few days or probably a few months as the raging fire has destroyed over 3000 acres of forest area in the state, reports suggest.

Here’s something tourists must know:

• Nainital, Almora, Gauchar and Pauri have been affected terribly.
• The fires have threatened the world heritage Kalka-Shimla rail line at several points near Dharampur town, 65 km from Shimla.
• The NDRF and Air Force teams have been deployed to bring the situation under control and to restore normalcy.
• 66 percent of the Himalayan state is under forest cover. Twenty-two percent of the forest area in the state is fire prone.

“Summers are peak time for tourism in Uttarakhand and people will avoid coming here if it (the forest fire) continues,” Indian Express quoted Anil Taneja, resident director of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI)-Uttarakhand, as saying.

During summers, Uttarakhand attracts lakhs of tourists. But this year may see a drop in the percentage owing to the tragic fire.

Nonetheless, tourists can probably keep a tab on the development and restoration works so as to plan their trip when this tourist’s heaven is ready in its full glory to welcome its visitors.

(With IANS and agency reports)