admin 
New Delhi | January 15:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) acted swiftly to control a forest fire in Uttarakhand’s Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve on Wednesday. The operation highlighted the IAF’s role in defence and disaster response.
The Central Air Command (CAC) deployed an IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopter in firefighting mode at Joshimath. The deployment followed a request from the Uttarakhand government.
In an official X post, the CAC stated:
“The IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopter from Central Air Command responded quickly to fight the forest fire in Uttarakhand’s Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. This operation highlights the IAF’s dual role in defence and disaster management.”
About Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, also called Nanda Devi National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It forms a unique zone between the Zanskar mountain range and the Great Himalaya.
The reserve spans Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts and covers over 6,407 sq km. It consists of core zones and buffer zones. The core zones include Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park.
The Alaknanda River and its tributaries, including Rishi Ganga, Dhauli Ganga, Pushwapati, and Khiro Ganga, crisscross the reserve. Major peaks include Nanda Devi, Trishul, Dunagiri, Kalanka, and Nanda Ghungti.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
The reserve hosts threatened species like the snow leopard and Himalayan musk deer. Other wildlife includes Asiatic black bears, Himalayan brown bears, bharal, and Himalayan tahr.
It also serves as a key bird-watching destination. While small areas support community-based ecotourism, most zones focus on conservation and research.
The IAF’s quick action helped prevent the fire from spreading. Their response protected the unique biodiversity of the reserve.
About The Author
