In a decisive move to combat a forest fire threatening the ecologically sensitive Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand, the Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed an Mi-17 V5 helicopter for aerial firefighting operations in Joshimath on Thursday.
The fire ignited in the rugged and hard-to-reach terrain situated between the Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers within the Govindghat range of Nanda Devi National Park. In response, the Chamoli district administration elevated the region’s alert status. Acting quickly upon a request from the Uttarakhand government, the IAF activated its disaster response mechanism to tackle the peril.
The Central Air Command (CAC) of the IAF reported that the Mi-17 V5 helicopter was mobilised in a specialized firefighting mode. In an official statement shared through social media, CAC commended the IAF’s readiness and versatility, emphasising how this operation exemplifies the force’s dual capacity for national defense and humanitarian assistance.
Efforts to contain the fire have ongoing, combining aerial water bombing with helicopter reconnaissance and drone surveillance to monitor the fire’s progression. District administration initiatives have permitted helicopter surveys to assess the affected areas in real time.
Officials have reassured the public that critical pilgrimage and tourist destinations such as the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib remain entirely safe and unaffected by the ongoing fire.
The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, covering over 6,400 square kilometres, is regarded as one of India’s most vital ecological regions, encompassing both a core protected area and a surrounding buffer zone. The IAF’s prompt aerial response has played a pivotal role in controlling the blaze and safeguarding this delicate Himalayan ecosystem.
This operation further underscores the Indian Air Force’s essential function in disaster management, particularly in challenging high-altitude scenarios where rapid aerial intervention can significantly alter the outcome.
