DMK says action on FSI alert could have saved trekkers' lives

The forest fire that has claimed 17 lives so far found its echo in the Assembly today, with DMK saying swift action after a Forest Survey of India alert could have averted it and the Chief Minister saying government had not received it.

Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, M K Stalin, who moved a special call attention motion on the issue, said FSI had given warning about the Kurangani forest fire through SMS and e-mail.

"According to the FSI, if the Forest Department had acted swiftly, the loss of lives could have been averted," he said.

The DMK leader also demanded appointment of more forest field personnel as part of measures to prevent such mishaps.

He also urged the government to bring in norms, requiring trekking clubs to register themselves with FSI for forest fire alerts and added that such norms should be part of "licence conditions."