U'khand Forest dept to take steps to prevent forest fire

The Uttarakhand Forest department has decided to restrict the leaves of forest officials this forest fire season, one of the major steps taken to prevent forest fire during the summer season.
"The department will restrict leave of the forest officials and awareness generation among the communities to support the department in prevention of forest fires, including informing about the forest fire incident through control office of the department or state's emergency support service 'Dial 108', are the key steps taken," Chief Conservator of Forests of Kumaun region Dr Rajendra Singh Bisht said.
"The vacation application of the personnel of forest department during the forest fire season, which is mainly during the summers and lasts until June 15, when the monsoon is expected, have been reviewed and other than extra-ordinary circumstances, leave applications will not be entertained," he said.

In the light of weather conditions prevailing this year, the department may take a call on end of forest fires season date, he added.
"Community participation in management and prevention of forest fires is a key. Accordingly, forest department has formed village level committees to seek their support," the Chief Conservator further said.
Dr Bisht informed that considering the shortage of water for wild animals during the summers and in the event of forests fires, water ponds have been created at required sites, including Corbett National Park.
Until now during this season, in the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand, four cases of forest fires in reserved forests and two in civil soyam forests have affected seven hectares (ha) of forests, he informed.