Fire rages across Dzükou Valley for second day, destroying virgin forests, choking Kohima, prompting aerial firefighting measures by authorities.
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KOHIMA — Flames tore through the western swathes of Dzükou Valley for a second straight day on Saturday, sending smoke and ash across Kohima and destroying large tracts of virgin forest.
A video of an aerial survey conducted by government authorities that surfaced on Saturday showed extensive damage to a large portion of virgin forest, with the fire spreading in multiple directions and smoke visible from several pockets.
Sources said that the aerial survey was conducted after a drone appraisal could not be carried out due to the area’s difficult terrain.
Smoke from the inferno cast a dark haze over the state capital from the western side, while ash from the fire also reached parts of Kohima on Saturday.
Also read: Western Dzükou on fire; four trekkers rescued, containment efforts to begin Saturday
Western Dzükou falls within the forest area of Khonoma village—Asia’s first Green Village—located west of Kohima.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror late Saturday night, Khonoma Youth Organisation (KYO) president Keviseto Savino said that youth volunteers from Khonoma, along with personnel from the police, Fire and Emergency Services, Forest department and Disaster Management, visited the site to assess the situation.
Savino said that a meeting was also held in Kohima, convened by the district administration with the team formed by the deputy commissioner of Kohima and other stakeholders, to discuss the situation.
According to him, containing the fire was beyond human intervention alone, as the forest was too dense and cutting fire lines was not possible.
The meeting reportedly decided to requisition a helicopter fitted with a Bambi Bucket through the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) under the Home department, which is expected to arrive by Sunday.
The youth volunteers will continue to assess the situation and explore whether any human intervention can be undertaken to control the fire.
Savino also informed that the four trekkers rescued and brought to Khonoma on Friday night admitted to having caused the fire, stating that it spread from their campsite where they had lit a fire, which later went out of control when they went to fetch water.
He further said the fire was first noticed by guides and porters who had visited the area with a group of students.
The valley had witnessed similar devastation in 2015 and 2020, when fires scorched an estimated 8–10 sq km, forcing the Indian Air Force to step in to support ground firefighting efforts.