To adequately cope up with forest fire and drought like situations prevailing in the State, Governor KK Paul convened a meeting with his advisors, Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary, on Thursday evening. A string of decisions resulted from the meeting, officials said. Earlier he had appealed to the people of the State especially those living in the hill villages, to help in saving the precious forest wealth by controlling forest fire.
It is learnt that the Government has doubled the strength of manpower deployed to deal with forest fire. It means, 6000 people would be engaged to douse the fire as it was 3000 earlier, an official said.
To make the fire-dousing machinery more effective, 500 fire department officials have been involved too. This aside, 100 PRD jawans will be deployed in revenue forest area of each district and even its number will be increased if things so warrant. Rs five crore has been released for SDRF to procure necessary equipment to douse the forest fire. Besides, Rs eight crore has been released from campa fund for the same purpose.
It is learnt that police and home guards have been asked to remain active at the district levels. The commandant SDRF has been asked to provide all necessary help to the districts concerned. DMs have been told to review the status of forest fire on daily basis and the Governor would review the progress reports on weekly basis.
The first of the reviews will be made on April 30 through video conferencing, officials said. As per the advisory council decision, DM of each district has been told to provide compensation amount to the affected families with immediate effect.
Paul also told that additional funds be allocated and more staff posted for ensuring that the forest fires, spreading rapidly, are controlled as soon as possible. Describing the loss of forest wealth, wildlife and the loss for the public by these fires as alarming, he said that all possible efforts must be made to control them. He said it was a serious challenge for facing which people’s support was necessary.
He reviewed the works being done for putting out these forest fires while holding a meeting at the secretariat with officials concerned. He said strict action wouldhave to be taken against elements who were involved in illegal felling. People would have to be made more aware about the bad results of burning of garbage near the forests, throwing into the forests bidis and cigarettes after smoking, and burning forests to clear them for fresh, new grass. He said we must be aware about the bad effects of the forest fires on the wild animals.
To ensure enough water in the forest parks, the Governor asked the officials to make water tankers available in sufficient number and asked the district magistrates to see and inform him if more are required. Officials have been asked to work on war -footing to deal with the raging fire and the looming draught-like situation.
The Governor stressed on immediate relief to be given to the victims. He also laid emphasis on preserving water resource as per a long term plan. The officials have been asked to co-opt the latest techniques to deal with the fire. The Governor asked them to rope in Van Panchayat, Mahila Mangal Dal Youth Mangal Dal and self-help groups in the fire-fighting mechanism.