Massive fire raging in Nagaland's Dzukou Valley for 3 days, spreading towards Manipur
India Today
A massive fire has been raging in Nagaland's Dzukou Valley, a trekkers' favourite, for three days. Locals say that the fire is beyond control and suspect the role of miscreants, given its location. Trekkers have been evacuated, NDRF deployed, and IAF help was sought. The fire is fast spreading towards Manipur's Mount Esii.
A wildfire burning for over three days threatens to destroy a big part of Nagaland's renowned Dzukou Valley, a favourite with trekkers from across India. Around 30 trekkers, stranded because of the blaze, have been evacuated and the NDRF deployed even as the fire spreads towards Manipur's tallest peak, Mount Esii.
Dzukou Valley, known for its green carpet and Dzukou Lily, has been a secret on the bucket list of trekkers and nature lovers for decades. However, it is the Reels that have made it a backpacker destination in recent years.
More than 30 trekkers were stranded due to the blaze in the Dzukou Valey, local officials told news agency PTI on Wednesday.
Incidents of fire have become quite frequent in recent years, but they are mostly near the base. Most of the fires are because of the carelessness of trekkers who casually throw away cigarette butts without stubbing them out.
Though the exact cause or origin of the recent fire hasn't been determined yet, some locals in Nagaland do not rule out arson and the role of miscreants.
"Generally, fires in Dzukou Valley start at the base, which is visited by trekkers. In this case, the fire started on a slope," a person from Western Angami area told India Today Digital. "The fire is so big that it seems beyond control for now," the person from Nagaland added.
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