23,473 wildfires in Odisha forest during last 45 days

Bhubaneswar, Mar 24: Odisha forest has seen as many as 23,473 wildfires during one and half months. The current record of the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun reveals that wildfire has affected about 159.93 square kilometres of forest as against 64 thousand and 204 square Kilometre of the total forest resources in the state. Thus, almost 26 per cent forest has incurred partial loss of its flora and fauna for the 'Ground Fire' broke out during February first and March 15.However no forest has been devoured by 'Crown Fire' Minister for Forest and Environment Bikram Keshari Arukha said the Forest department is in vigil to beat wildfire throughout the state. As a precaution against forest-fire, the department had marked fire lines in different fire sectors and maintaining it carefully. On the other hand, the community forest management system has been beefed up to source cooperation from the public to guard the forest from fire. Almost 13 thousand Vana Surakshya Samities are at work to vigil 12 lakh hectare forest resources. Similarly the Eco Development Committees have been assigned to assist in watch and ward of forest-fire. Apart from it, the government is all set to provide all essential logistics to the forest outfits in order to defuse forest fire effectively. Particularly, more 750 leaf blowers with another 106 fire- defusing teams are to be provided soon. While, the forest officials are technically strengthened through special fire-fighting orientations to douse wildfire at their end, said Arukha.