Dzükou fire spreading south-west

(Left) Smoke rising from the wildfire which broke out in the Dzükou valley area. (Photo Courtesy: PRO (Def) Kohima) (Right) Four Mi-17  helicopter of the IAF made two trips each on January 3 as part of the Bambi Bucket operations to contain the fire. (Morung Photo)

(Left) Smoke rising from the wildfire which broke out in the Dzükou valley area. (Photo Courtesy: PRO (Def) Kohima) (Right) Four Mi-17 helicopter of the IAF made two trips each on January 3 as part of the Bambi Bucket operations to contain the fire. (Morung Photo)

Fire in valley site under control

Morung Express News
Kohima | January 3

The Southern Angami Youth Organisation SAYO today informed that about 9 to 10 sq km has been damaged in the fire which broke out in Dzükou valley on December 29.

Early morning, fire watchers informed Range Forest Officer that fire was descending down to south -west side. The information was immediately relayed to the control room to brief forces to start cutting fire line on that side to prevent further spread, as per a DIPR report.

Speaking to The Morung Express, Kohima Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rajkumar M mentioned that on January 3, ground operations were carried out by the Nagaland Police, Forest, NDRF, SDRF and SAYO volunteers with the SDO civil Jakhama, SDPO South and Range Forest Officer, Kohima are coordinating the ground operations.

While the extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, the DFO said, “The main valley is completely safe so far. We are all doing our best. We cannot assess the extent of the damage right now since our main priority is to save the valley at any cost, so that the fire does not spread to the main valley. Once the fire is contained the assessment on the damage will be done.”

In a press conference held at Viswema on January 3, the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) informed that the fire is yet to be fully doused and efforts are being made to contain the fire on all levels by the local organisations as well as State agencies.

Fire in valley site under control
The Kohima District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) informed that the wildfire has reportedly been brought under control on the valley site on January 3. A total of 24000 litres of water with 12 shuttles were dropped during the fire fighting exercise on Sunday.

Lt Col Sumit Sharma, PRO (Def) Kohima informed in a press release that the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters resumed Bambi Bucket operations on January 3. Four Mi-17 helicopters have been deployed at Dimapur and Rangapahar for the task. The Indian Army and Assam Rifles are providing all possible assistance to the NDRF teams in terms of accommodation, tentage and logistics resources, the release added.

ADC and CEO DDMA Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa along with DDMO Thejangulie Zao, DPA Kohima, Victor Yhome and some trained personnel also visited the location. Ground operations were carried out by Nagaland Police, Forest, NDRF, SDRF and SAYO Volunteers. SDPO South and Range Forest Officer, Kohima led today’s operation who along with SDO Civil Jakhama have also been coordinating the ground operations. More volunteers from SDRF, DEF, 4th NAP, Forest Department and SAYO volunteers went up to Dzükou on Sunday.

On December 31, SAYO volunteers along with about 80 volunteers from the SDRF, Police Department and Forest Department were deployed in the efforts to douse the fire.

“The SAYO volunteers stayed back at the valley and on January 1, we gave our best efforts to douse the fire but we could not contain it. Some of the SAYO volunteers and officials are still at the valley to monitor the situation. The fire is spreading towards Southwest so we are making attempts to continue the fire line cutting,” said Tsükrü.

On December 31, the Kohima Forest Division and SAYO volunteers had already cut a 5 km fire line while another 2 km fire line was cut by SAYO volunteers on January 1 with the assistance of Kohima Police and SDRF. The fire line cutting has been conducted to prevent the spread of fire to valley.

Kohima Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Chairman DDMA, Mohammed Ali Shihab A, informed that as a follow up, to maintain a seamless communication with ground ops team, a Control room has been set up by Kohima Police at Dzükou entry point at Viswema village and two relay stations were also set up at resting shed and Base camp area, Dzükou Valley. 

According to the DC, the fire is concentrated in area between Mt. Tempfu and Elephant gate (near the main Valley) which is descending down towards the valley. The rest of the area along the trekking route (From View point to Base camp area) where major fire were present for past two/three days have completely subsided, a DIPR report informed.

SP Kohima Manoj Kumar informed that 24 personnel from 4th NAP, 21 personnel-SDRF, 38 personnel - NDRF, 7 personnel - Forest Dept, 10 personnel - Kohima DEF along with SAYO volunteers participated in today’s ground operation. Another 20 personnel from NDRF Kohima team who were at base camp also joined the ground operations.

Advisory for trekkers
During the press conference, the SAYO also requested the public to refrain from trekking to Dzükou valley at the moment. The request comes in view of inquiries made by trekkers who wish to trek despite the ongoing fire in the valley.

“We do welcome anyone willing to volunteer in the firefighting but request the public not to trek when the situation is not safe,” said Vithwe Pusa, Vice President, SAYO.

While investigations are still underway, the SAYO mentioned that it is making attempts to trace the trespassers suspected to have caused the fire on December 29.

“Due to the pandemic and lockdown, the SAYO had banned entry to Dzükou valley this year, however there has been a lot of trespassing lately,” said Zakieleto Tsükrü, SAYO President.

While an entry ticket containing a list of rules and regulations is usually issued to the visitors of Dzükou valley, the SAYO noted that this was stopped due to the total ban. “Despite the total ban, there has been trespassing in the valley. That is why the problem is arising,” they stated.

Tsükrü also reminded of the agreement that was made between the Nagaland Government and Manipur Government on November, 2018 on the entry of Dzükou valley which maintained that only two routes will be used and that no other route will be trespassed. The agreement had been made in the backdrop of the previous fire in Dzükou caused by trespassers. However, the SAYO rued that people continue to violate the rules and regulations made to safeguard the pristine valley.