Dzükou Valley fire: Rio makes aerial survey, assesses damages and operations

Dimapur, Jan. 5 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday undertook an aerial survey of the Dzükou Valley to assess the damages caused by the forest fires as well as the operation works being carried out by the personnel of government agencies and volunteers to douse the inferno.

The wildfire was reportedly started by some unidentified trekkers on December 29, following which the government of Nagaland deployed army and forest personnel to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to the Dzükou Valley.

Rio witnessed the patches in the valley which had turned black due to the forest fires and saw the portions where the forest fires were still raging as well as the ground operations carried out by the state and Central agencies like SDRF, personnel of the Forest department, Nagaland Police, NDRF along with Southern Angami Youth Organisation (Sayo) volunteers, informed an update from the Chief Minister’s office.

The contingent comprising of government agencies and Sayo volunteers has been making traditional fire line cutting for days now, area stretching more than nine kilometres, to contain and protect the valley from the fire.

 “The efforts being made by the ground staff are being supplemented by the four IAF helicopters which were found to be making multiple sorties everyday for dousing the fire. It was noticed that continuous efforts are being made by all the State and Central agencies and the traditional institutions for containing and dousing the forest fires.

 “At many locations the fire had been contained and extinguished, but there were still some locations which needed to be focused upon urgently to keep the valley safe and protected. It was also observed that there were no damages yet due to the fire in the main part of the picturesque Dzükou Valley,” read the update.

It informed that considering the severity of the situation, three more IAF helicopters were requisitioned by the state and two more units of NDRF personnel were deployed from outside the state to contain fire and camping in the valley along with the Sayo volunteer to keep a close watch on the situation.

Rio appreciated the tremendous efforts made by everyone which helped prevent the spread of fire and keep the situation under control. But considering the fires still raging at some locations, he has urged for continued co-ordinated effort by all the agencies involved to bring the situation under full control and protect the pristine valley.

The chief minister was accompanied by Mmhonlumo Kikon, Advisor for New and Renewable Energy, IT&C, Science and Technology; Medo Yhokha, Advisor for Higher & Technical and Election; Home Commissioner Nagaland; and District Forest Officer (DFO) Kohima for the aerial survey.

Dzükou Valley, which is known for its multicoloured carpets of natural flowers, greenery and rich biodiversity, has become a tourist destination, attracting trekkers, naturalists and biologists from far and wide.

“Ecologically and environmentally, Dzükou Valley is significant to the State of Nagaland and the North Eastern region and is a vital bio-diversity hub for the entire region,” read the press release from CM’s office.