Winter wildfires surge in Uttarakhand , 1000+ alerts received

Uttarakhand witnesses rise in winter wildfires, with Forest Survey of India sending 1006 fire alerts between November 1 and January 1. Fires reported across districts including Uttarkashi, Nainital, Bageshwar, Tehri, Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Pauri, and Almora. Concerns raised about increased human-wildlife conflicts as animals try to escape flames. Wildlife conservationists link fires to illegal activities. Reasons for fire surge include controlled burning, agricultural residue burning, waste burning, and forest clearing. Villagers expressed concern, citing the absence of rainfall or snow in the last three months, making the region dry.