An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter joined the efforts to control and douse the fire on Tuesday. The chopper has been flying sorties, carrying water from Padampukhri, Dimapur to douse the flames.
Another helicopter is expected to join the efforts if the fire is not brought under control by today. The State Government, through the Home Department, has released an amount of Rs 2 lakh to meet immediate expenses in the firefighting efforts. This was stated by Home Commissioner of Nagaland Temjen Toy. He also said that the district administration is working in close coordination with volunteers and government agencies to tackle the crisis.
The forest fire had intensified overnight and also reached a smaller peak below Mt Japfu towards the Kigwema village. But according to the core committee monitoring the fire, it has been almost controlled from all sides “for now.” However, it could not be confirmed if the blaze has been completely brought under control.
On Monday, 60 youth volunteers from Kigwema and Khuzama villages under the aegis of the Sothern Angami Youth Organisation, along with around 60 jawans from 164 Inf Bn (H&H) NAGA, Jakhama and the IRB and Forest Department officials, tried to contain the fire from spreading further.
Forest Minister Y Patton, accompanied by the PCCF, M Lokeswara Rao, and the District Forest Officer, Kohima, went to the base camp set up at Pony Farm, Kigwema for monitoring the forest fire and providing logistics to the volunteers.
The minister expressed his concern that a fire of such magnitude was destroying the forest and vegetation of the area. He acknowledged the efforts of the volunteers from nearby villages, public organisations and the Army as well as police personnel in trying to bring the fire under control.
The CO of 164 Inf Bn (H&H) NAGA, Col Govind Singh, a member of the core team, apprised visitors at the base camp, including media persons, of the situation. “The fire is smouldering, but it is not an inferno now,” he said, adding the extent of destruction to the forest is multiplying. He said major efforts were being made by the volunteers who have been divided into 17 groups to contain the fire in different locations. Principal Secretary, Forests, Neitsale Zhasa, who was also at the base camp, expressed sadness that the fire has left the biodiversity-rich area barren.
Pointing out that there had been forest fires in this area earlier too, he asserted that the soil profile of the area is deteriorating and underscored the need of immediate remedial measures to address the problem. He also suggested a move to propose to the Government of India to set up an eco-task force which, he said, can be funded on a 50-50 basis between the Centre and the State Government.
Meanwhile, around 40 youths from Jotsoma are also said to be camping in the forest to fight the fire from spreading on the western side of Mt Japfu.