Indian Air Force Deploys Mi-17 V5 Helicopter for Forest Firefighting in Nanda Devi Reserve
The Indian Air Force (IAF) took prompt action on Thursday to address a forest fire in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand. An Mi-17 V5 helicopter was deployed for aerial firefighting operations in the Joshimath area.
The fire broke out in the rugged terrain between the Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers within the Govindghat range of Nanda Devi National Park. In response, the Chamoli district administration issued a full alert in the region. Following a request from the Uttarakhand government, the IAF quickly activated its disaster response protocol.
According to the Central Air Command (CAC), an Mi-17 V5 helicopter equipped for specialized firefighting was dispatched from Joshimath. The CAC emphasized in a social media statement the IAF’s readiness and capability, highlighting the operation as a demonstration of the force’s dual function in national defense and humanitarian aid.
The Uttarakhand Department of Information and Public Relations reported ongoing firefighting efforts utilizing aerial water bombing, helicopter reconnaissance, and drone surveillance to track the fire's progression. Helicopter surveys were conducted to provide real-time assessments of the affected areas, as initiated by the district administration.
Authorities have assured that major pilgrimage and tourist locations, including the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib, remain entirely safe and untouched by the fire.
Encompassing over 6,400 square kilometers, the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is a crucial ecological region in India, featuring a core protected area and an adjacent buffer zone. The IAF's swift aerial response has been vital in controlling the fire and safeguarding this delicate Himalayan environment.
The operation underscores the essential role of the Indian Air Force in disaster management, especially in challenging high-altitude settings where rapid aerial intervention can be decisive.
