The Indian Air Force (IAF) swiftly responded to a forest fire in Uttarakhand’s ecologically sensitive Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve by deploying an Mi-17 V5 helicopter for aerial firefighting operations at Joshimath on Thursday.
The fire erupted in the rocky and inaccessible terrain between the Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers in the Govindghat range of Nanda Devi National Park, prompting the Chamoli district administration to place the region on full alert. Following a requisition from the Uttarakhand government, the IAF activated its disaster response mechanism without delay.
According to the Central Air Command (CAC), the Mi-17 V5 helicopter was deployed in specialised firefighting mode from Joshimath. In an official statement shared on social media, CAC highlighted the IAF’s readiness and versatility, noting that the operation once again demonstrated the force’s dual role in national defence and humanitarian assistance.
The Uttarakhand Department of Information and Public Relations said firefighting efforts are continuing with a combination of aerial water bombing, helicopter-based reconnaissance, and drone surveillance to monitor the spread of the fire. On the initiative of the district administration, helicopter surveys were authorised to assess the affected areas in real time.
Officials have confirmed that key pilgrimage and tourist sites, including the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib, remain completely safe and unaffected by the fire.
Spanning over 6,400 square kilometres, the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is one of India’s most significant ecological zones, comprising a core protected area and a surrounding buffer zone. The rapid aerial response by the IAF has been crucial in containing the blaze and preventing damage to this fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The operation underlines the Indian Air Force’s critical role in disaster management, particularly in difficult high-altitude environments where swift aerial intervention can make a decisive difference.
