The Uttarakhand government is preparing to introduce a reward scheme offering cash incentives of up to Rs 1 lakh to individuals and teams contributing significantly to forest fire prevention and control, amid a rise in wildfire incidents across the state’s mountainous regions, officials said on Tuesday.
The proposal was discussed during a press conference organised by the Uttarakhand Forest Department, where Chief Conservator of Forests (Forest Fires) Sushant Patnaik presented the state’s “Forest Fire Control and Management 2026” strategy. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal and Head of the Forest Department Ranjan Mishra were also present.
Patnaik said Uttarakhand has witnessed a steady increase in forest fires due to rising global temperatures, prolonged dry spells, erratic monsoon patterns and climatic conditions such as El Nino.
He added that the India Meteorological Department’s Meteorological Centre in Dehradun has forecast further temperature rise and dry weather in the coming days, increasing the likelihood of additional fire incidents.
“Teams and individuals who perform exceptional work in extinguishing and preventing forest fires will be awarded prizes of up to Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, prizes worth Rs 75,000 and Rs 51,000 have also been designated,” Patnaik said.
According to data presented by the department, Uttarakhand recorded 14,638 forest fire incidents over the past decade, affecting nearly 23,682.77 hectares of forest land. During this period, 35 people lost their lives and 76 others were injured in fire-related incidents.
Officials said 394 forest fire incidents have already been reported in 2026, impacting around 331.12 hectares of land. One human fatality has been recorded so far this year.
Patnaik noted that Uttarakhand had classified forest fires as a “natural calamity” in 2003 and said the department was intensifying efforts to control fires through inter-agency coordination, public awareness campaigns and community participation.
Officials said the state has 25,138.18 square kilometres of reserved forest area under the Forest Department, while Civil and Panchayat forests account for another 3,890.52 square kilometres, representing around 15.45 per cent of the total forest area.
The state currently has 11 Regional Forest Circles, 43 Forest Divisions, 283 Ranges and 2,393 Beats, along with 11,217 Forest Panchayats for local forest management.
To strengthen response mechanisms, the Forest Department has established an Integrated Command and Control Centre at the headquarters level, besides setting up 1,438 crew stations, 40 master control rooms and 174 fire watcher towers across the state.
Officials said communication infrastructure has also been upgraded with the deployment of 45 wireless repeater sets, 488 base sets, 1,548 walkie-talkie handsets, 248 mobile sets and 1,507 GPS devices for monitoring and emergency coordination.
The department added that 13,085.03 kilometres of fire lines have been prepared across the state as part of containment measures.
As per Forest Fire Risk Zonation Mapping, the districts of Almora, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Nainital and Pithoragarh have been identified as highly vulnerable to forest fires.
The department has also launched an IVRS helpline service through number 1926 and introduced the “Uttarakhand Forest Fire” mobile application for public reporting and awareness.
Officials said the department has implemented the “Jardhar Model” for community participation in forest fire management following the success of the “Sheetlakhet Model.” The state has also introduced the observance of “Agni Diwas” as part of awareness campaigns.
To encourage local participation and generate livelihood opportunities, the Forest Department is implementing the “Pine Pirul Collection Scheme,” under which residents receive Rs 10 per kilogram for collecting dry pine needles.
According to officials, nine Pirul-based pellet and briquette production units are currently operational in the state. Over the past four years, 13,003.56 tonnes of Pirul have been collected, while the target for 2026 has been set at 8,555 tonnes.
Authorities also said 496 Forest Fire Protection and Management Committees have been formed at Gram Panchayat and cluster levels, with committees assisting in fire control receiving incentives of Rs 30,000 each.
During the 2026 fire season, 5,625 fire watchers were deployed across Uttarakhand. These personnel have been provided insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh each under a group accident insurance scheme.
The department said it conducted 3,235 public awareness programmes in 2026, with participation from 81,414 people.
Officials further confirmed that an MoU has been signed with the India Meteorological Department for customised forest fire forecasts to improve preparedness and response.
Mock drills have also been conducted in all districts, while senior Forest Department officials have been appointed as District Nodal Officers to improve coordination among agencies.
Under the World Bank-funded U-PREPARE scheme, firefighting equipment including fire rakes, protective suits, gloves, helmets, boots, water bottles and headlamps has been distributed to forest divisions across the state.
(With IANS inputs)
