Steps initiated to combat forest fires in lower Kangra

Rajiv Mahajan

NURPUR, APRIL 15

The Forest Department has initiated steps to save forests falling under Nurpur Forest Division from summer fires. The forest fire season will start from April 15 and end on July 15 or with the onset of monsoon.

Task forces deployed

• Forest fire task forces, led by range officers, have been deployed in all ranges having 82 forest beats in lower Kangra district, comprising Nurpur, Jawali, Indora and Fatehpur subdivisions
• The Forest Department has launched an awareness campaign to sensitise people to save the forest wealth

There are five forest ranges of Nurpur, Kotla, Jawali, Indora and Rey in Nurpur forest divisions having a total forest area of 53,401 hectares. In the total forest covered area, 65 per cent area has been identified as sensitive to fire whereas around 43,706 hectare area of 59 forests is vulnerable to fires. Around 41,000 hectares of forest having chir trees is considered most fire sensitive.

Forest fire task forces, led by range officers, have been deployed in all ranges having 82 forest beats in lower Kangra district, comprising Nurpur, Jawali, Indora and Fatehpur sub divisions.

The department has cleared the existing fire lines of the forests falling under all five forest ranges in advance keeping in view the prolonged dry spell. The leave of the department’s field staff has been cancelled. The department has deployed 84 fire watchers to protect forest from fire and keep an eye on miscreants who could ignite or set fire to forest area.

Apart from this, the forest department has also launched an awareness campaign to sensitize people to save the forest wealth. Forest fires mostly occur due to the burning of bushes and weeds by people for better green fodder. The negligence on the part of passersby, who smoke in the forest area, also leads to fire mishaps.

According to Divisional Forest Officer, Nurpur Suman Ohri, the department has made preparations to save the forests falling under Nurpur Forest Division from fire. A control room has also been set up in Nurpur. He has appealed to the people for cooperation to save the forests from fire. He said those found lighting or damaging forest wealth would face FIRs and a penalty.