Shimla:Himachal Pradesh Forest Department geared up to control the frequent forest fires in the state as man power and mechanism was adopted to check such incidences.Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Savita today held virtual review meeting with Forest Circles on preparedness for forest fires in the state.
She said that the Forest department was well prepared to fight the forest fires and rapid forest fire fighting force and rapid response teams had been set up at forest division and range levels.
Approximately 40,000 man-day's of fire watchers would be engaged by the department in addition to existing frontline staff for preventing and combating forest fires. She said that the state disaster control room with toll free number 1077 at state level and 1070 at district level were operational for reporting of the forest fire by the local community.
Dr. Savita said messages regarding forest fire had been shared with the members of rapid forest fire fighting force, in which approximately 50,000 volunteers had already been registered. Awareness to the community was also conducted through Nukkar Nataks, songs, speeches and other activities at different locations in the state.Besides, a massive state level awareness program was also conducted at 45 places from 10 to 17 March, 2021
She said that the department had created forest fire lines and did control burning and also constructed water storage structures in the forest areas to combat forest fires. Additional multi-utility vehicles and water loaded tankers in 80 fire sensitive ranges had been engaged for three months. She that matter regarding Standard Operating Systems (SOPs) for requisition of helicopter services for dousing the forest fires had been sent to the Government for approval.