Shimla, Chopal: A raging forest fire has engulfed vast stretches of grasslands and forests in Shantha village (Deot Panchayat) and Bijmal forest in Nerwa tehsil for over 24 hours, leaving orchards charred and residents terrified.
High-velocity winds have turned the blaze into a relentless inferno, with flames racing across hillsides and threatening entire villages.
The hostile weather—characterized by dry spells and stormy winds—offers no respite, evoking chilling comparisons to California’s devastating wildfires.
In the absence of swift intervention from authorities, local heroes led by Dinesh Banchta, Manmohan, Deepak, Biru, Manoj and his team fought the flames tirelessly for over 12 hours through the night.
Cutting fire lines with limited resources, they managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the denser forests across the hill. Despite their courageous efforts, the winds continue to fan the flames, worsening the disaster.
“This time, 10 of my plants were burnt because I wasn’t home,” lamented orchard owner Akshit Banchaik from Kufar (Shantha). “Unless serious action is taken against those responsible for starting these fires, this will never stop. It’s heartbreaking.”
The fire are torched every year by the miscreants in lower area. The farms located uphill suffered the worst so is the thousands species of trees and samplings.
Meanwhile, another wildfire erupted in Bijmal village in Nerwa tehsil, consuming forest tracts and threatening nearby habitations. Locals claim inaction from authorities is exacerbating the crisis.
Heroism Amid Negligence
Dinesh Banchta, who led the firefighting operation in Shilgrahan, described the grueling battle:
“The fire spread rapidly, and we had to work through the night to cut fire lines and save orchards and homes. The winds made it worse, but we couldn’t wait for help that never came.”
Despite their efforts, residents fear the fires could spread further if the winds persist and rains remain elusive.
“Enough is Enough” – Locals Demand Accountability
Senior Advocate Kameshwar Dhaulta of the Himachal Pradesh High Court condemned the recurring wildfires as a symptom of negligence and lawlessness.
“These fires are often the work of miscreants, yet no one is held accountable. Local bodies and the Forest Department have a duty to protect both government and private property, but they consistently fail.
Look at California’s forest fires—destruction on a massive scale. If we don’t act now, the same awaits us. Kudos to Dinesh Banchta and his team for stepping up where officials have failed. But this cannot be their burden alone.”
Call for Action
Residents and activists are demanding stringent laws and an immediate action plan to address the crisis. They are urging the government to:
- Identify and penalize culprits responsible for setting fires.
- Equip local communities with tools and training to handle such disasters.
- Ensure regular monitoring of forest areas to prevent such incidents.
“We can’t let this become an annual tragedy,” said a frustrated local. “Our forests are burning, our orchards are dying, and no one seems to care until it’s too late.”
With winds picking up and no rain in sight, the battle against the flames continues—led not by officials, but by the brave locals risking their lives to save their land.
