Pithoragarh, April 26 -- With the onset of summer, vast stretches of forests across Uttarakhand have once again begun to be impacted by raging fires, raising serious concerns over administrative preparedness and environmental impact. In Pithoragarh district, the situation has turned particularly alarming, with fast-spreading forest fires advancing dangerously close to habitation areas, leaving residents living in fear and uncertainty.

The crisis has deepened with the blaze reaching the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary, a protected habitat known for its rare wildlife. Sources in the region claim that the sanctuary has been burning for over ten days, with thick plumes of smoke rising continuously, threatening the fragile ecosystem and the surviva...