Environment Ministry has formulated a contingency plan to deal with forest fires which have increased from 18,451 in 2013 to 20,667 in 2016, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.
"Environment Ministry has formulated a contingency plan for forest fires which deals with the mechanism for coordination during the crisis of a major forest fire.
"The said plan provides for a Central Crisis Group at the Ministry chaired by Secretary, and having representatives from Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Health in addition to other members," he said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
The minister said the government provides funds to states and UTs under the Centrally sponsored scheme "Intensification of Forest Management Scheme" to supplement their efforts.
"Various measures taken by states and UTs for protection of forests from fires include creation and maintenance of fire lines in forest areas, engaging fire watchers, estabilishing forest camps, regular patrolling by forest personnels etc. The support of Joint Forest Management Committee is also taken in this regard," Javadekar said.
According to the data provided by the ministry, there were 18451, 19054, 15937 and 20667 fires in 2013, 2014 2015 and 2016 respectively.
