A massive wildfire has been raging in Nagaland’s Dzukou Valley for nearly three days, now advancing toward Manipur’s tallest peak, Mount Esii, authorities and locals reported. The fire, first noticed on January 26, has spread rapidly through dense forests and grasslands along the Nagaland-Manipur border.
The valley, renowned for its rolling green hills, seasonal wildflowers, and the rare Dzukou lily, has long drawn trekkers from across the region. But dry conditions and strong winds have fanned the flames, turning the picturesque landscape into a scene of smoke and devastation.
Officials and volunteers are scrambling to contain the blaze. Teams from the police, state fire services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed, while State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel work on the ground to protect nearby communities and forest areas.
Local volunteers from SAYO and SAPO, along with district officials, supported rescue and firefighting efforts. All trekking is now stopped from Jakhama and Viswema entry points, and Manipur’s Senapati district has warned tourists and pilgrims to stay away until the fire is under control.
Locals have raised concerns that the fire may have been deliberately started. Experts, however, note that the valley’s dry winter conditions, grassy meadows, and wildflowers make it prone to wildfires, and careless hikers often trigger accidental blazes.