Odisha to deploy 100 additional squads to tackle forest fires

Bhubaneswar, Mar 9: Chief Secretary, Suresh Chandra Mahapatra toady morning reviewed the forest fire situation in the State with all the district Collectors, Superintendent of Police &andDivisional Forest Officers and directed all the concerned district level functionaries to take all out effort for abatement of forest fire and prevent its further proliferation by intensifying night patrolling, attending fire alerts received in quickest possible time. In order to tackle the situation in more effective way, the State Government has decided to engage more man power and equipment. It has been decided to put additional 100 squads, beyond 600 different squads. Each squad comprises of 10 persons and a vehicle. Besides, additional 700 blowers are being procured to put in to work. Further, it has been decided to incentivise 3000 forest fringe villages to take action to prevent occurrence of forest fire and prevent its proliferation. In different areas action has already being initiated by local DFOs to dissuade forest fringe locals to burn the agricultural wastes in open, which causes forest fire threat once left unattended and where ever feasible put water tankers in to use to abate the ongoing fire. “Due to continuous and quick action of field staff, the number of fire points has shown considerable decrease as fire alerts to 3258 on Monday from 6258 on Sunday. More than 95% of fire points located have been attended during last 24 hours of reporting. No damage to wildlife or human has been reported,” said an official.