Dehradun, May 22 -- Forests across Uttarakhand are once again in the grip of devastating fires, with flames and thick smoke replacing the greenery and cool breeze for which the hill State is known. Since the beginning of the fire season on February 15, incidents of forest fires have risen sharply across the State, affecting large stretches of forests from Garhwal to Kumaon and posing a serious challenge to the Forest Department and disaster management agencies.

According to the official data of the Forest Department, over 300 incidents of forest fire have been recorded so far in the state, resulting in damage to more than 239.47 hectares of forest area. Both the Forest Department and the Meteorological Department have described this year...