Gairsain, March 10 -- As per the Efforts initiated under the directions of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to prevent forest fires in the state are expected to yield meaningful results. Through the Forest Department, the government has purchased pine needles (pirul) worth RS 5 crore 42 lakh from villagers within a year.

During the Question Hour on the second day of the Budget Session in the Assembly today, Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal shared that to eliminate the root cause of fires in pine forests, 5,532 tonnes of pine needles were purchased from villagers in 2025. The target has now been increased to 8,555 tonnes. The government's objective is to collect pine needles so that the chances of forest fires can be reduced to...