Video credits: X @CAC_CPRO

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday moved quickly to contain a forest fire in Uttarakhand’s Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, deploying an Mi-17 V5 helicopter for firefighting operations after receiving a request from the state government.The fire broke out in the rocky terrain between the Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers in the Govindghat range of Nanda Devi National Park, prompting the Chamoli district administration to be placed on full alert.According to the Central Air Command (CAC), the helicopter was deployed in firefighting mode at Joshimath. In an official post on X, the CAC highlighted the IAF’s operational readiness and its role in disaster response. “The IAF’s operational readiness was demonstrated yet again, when the @IAF_MCC responded swiftly to fight a forest fire in Uttarakhand’s Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve area. The IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopter, from Central Air Command was deployed in fire fighting mode at Joshimath to meet the requirement of the requisition from State Govt. This response, once again, highlighted the IAF’s dual role in defense and disaster response.”The Uttarakhand Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) said firefighting operations are continuing with the support of aerial surveillance. “Efforts to extinguish the forest fire that broke out in the Govindghat range of Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli district are ongoing. At the same time, reconnaissance and monitoring of the affected area are being conducted using helicopters and drones,” the department said in a post on X.At the initiative of District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar, permission was granted for a helicopter survey of the affected area. After the survey, Divisional Forest Officer Sarvesh Dubey told ANI that the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib are completely safe.The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve covers an area of more than 6,407.03 square kilometres and is divided into two zones — a core zone and an outer buffer zone. According to the official website of Uttarakhand, “The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, also known as the Nanda Devi National Park, is a spectacular expanse of wilderness in the upper reaches of the Himalayas.”