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Concerted campaigns reduce forest fires
Forest fires have drastically come down in the on-going summer season due to the forest department initiating multiple measures including a special campaign against setting off forest fires by mischievous elements and also by accident with threats of governmental action.
Anantapur: Forest fires have drastically come down in the on-going summer season due to the forest department initiating multiple measures including a special campaign against setting off forest fires by mischievous elements and also by accident with threats of governmental action.
Among the measures, Kala Jatras had been sent to all forest hamlets to create awareness on preventing forest fires among the people who inadvertently throw smoked cigarette butts in the forests. There are some who intentionally throw the burnt cigarettes just to watch the fun of forests aflame. Fire Patrolling Teams to prevent forest fires had been pressed into service during the past three months to educate the people and ask them to be vigilant.
Shepherds and even mischievous elements either accidentally or intentionally are responsible for forest fires which even threaten wild life safety, every year. A 40 strong contingent of forest personnel had been engaged to protect 1.95 lakh hectares of reserve forest area. This contingent is miniscule when compared to the magnitude of forest area. On an average each forest beat officer is responsible for protection of 2785 hectares which is a difficult proposition.
A fire monitoring cell is operating at the district head quarters which receives alerts from informers, general public, local political functionaries and by the forest personnel. Satellite imagery pictures of forest fires in any part of the country are sent by the satellite monitoring agency at Dehra Dun which sends accurate images pinpointing the actual geographical area which is under forest fire.
Based on the pictures which reach the office in five to six hours, the office alerts responsible officials in the area. There are 100 Fire Watchers who have now fanned themselves into nook and corner of the reserve forest to educate people and shepherds against playing with fire by irresponsible throwing of cigarette butts into bushes and dry grass which easily ignite fires.
DFO Chandra Sekhar told 'The Hans India' that operation patrolling had been launched in December itself and now vigilance is stepped up. Compared to last year, forest fires had drastically come down because of their concerted campaign creating awareness and even fear of government action.
By Ravi P. Benjamin
