In order to create mass awareness regarding prevention and control of forest fires due to a prolonged dry spell in the State, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday flagged off two rapid fire fighting force vehicles for use in fire sensitive areas.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that a fortnight long campaign is being launched throughout the state to create awareness amongst the people regarding the precautions and measures to be adopted in case of major forest fire or other such incidents and seek their participation.
The Chief Minister said that anyone found igniting the forest fires would be dealt as per the law of the land.
He said that spending some amount on such campaigns is useful as the motive is to sensitise the people regarding the forest fires. We also need to create awareness amongst the people not to put the pastures to fire as it did not help in re-growth of the fodder. There is also a need to keep our forest cover preserved and protect them from fires, said Thakur.
He further said that with the community participation and awareness campaigns, we can minimize the fire incidents.
'Rapid Forest Fire Fighting Force' had been constituted with 1900 volunteers as its members. Besides, special events like rallies on foot and on cycles, chat shows, Nukkad nataks, painting and slogan writing and exhibitions would be organised to create wider awareness during the campaign, said he. The Chief Minister also appealed to the people to take advantage and participate in this campaign.
He also released a manual containing key features of the campaign. Speaking on the occasion, Forest Minister Govind Thakur said, the awareness campaign would be undertaken on two routes from March 16 onwards till March 27.
The awareness campaigns would be simultaneously held on two routes viz: Kangoo, Suket, Jaidevi, Jari, Patlikuhal,Urla, Jogindernagar, ladbhadol, Baijnath, Droh, Gopalpur, Chowari, Chamba, Dalhousie, Dehra and the second route would cover Nirmand, Rampur, Sunni, Arki, Addhar, Bijad, Bangana, Amb, Ramshehar, Nalagarh, Trilokpur, Kolar, Paonta Sahib, Majra, Kafota, Nahan, Jamta, Dharampur and Solan. The two vehicles will cover 11 districts barring the tribal district of lahaul and Spiti, said he.
Earlier, the Forest Department also organized a 'Run' from the historic ridge in which children from various schools, forest officials and citizens from Shimla participated. The run was flagged off by Forest Minister.