Odisha fires: All about another unfortunate incident

Odisha forest fires, raging from February have been contained and the fires have been reduced, as claimed by the government. Check out the details of the incident. 

The series of unfortunate events that started from the pandemic year 2020 does not seem to stop anytime soon. Odisha forest fires that have been raging from last month is the cause of another havoc too.

The  Similipal National Park situated at Mayurbhanj district has been battling fires from last month. After a week of getting unnoticed, it had got the attention of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who sent in an SOS to Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar. 

Between February 24 to March 3, around 380 fire points were reported in Odisha by Forest Survey of India. It got even worse on March 2 after heavy wind blew in the area taking the flames to Jualikata-Talpada road. Due to this, five people got injured and admitted for treatment.

The forest fires affected forests in the Karanjia forest division as well.  Those were Thakurmunda, Kendumundi, Naona, Gudagudia, Bareipani, Dudhiani and Satkosia.

Taking control of the situation

Soon after, the government divided the Similipal into two parts, posted two Deputy Directors in the forest range offices. The government also sent a task force to review forest fires in the state.

The force sent some measures that could be taken to control the situation. Currently, Forest Department field officials are on 24X7 alert to monitor and douse forest fire in the field.

The patrolling has also been increased along with the night patrolling which is being checked by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) office on Odisha Forest Management System(OFMS).

The government, also took the support of local communities who assisted the forest officials in fire extinguishing.

At present

Eight Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams with 25 members are present in the forest to douse fires with the help of forest officials.

On March 13, the Odisha government has claimed that the fire in the jungles and the Similipal National Park has been contained.

The latest National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad report has also claimed the reduction in the fires.

Also Read: Odisha Forest Officer receives UN’s Asia Environmental Enforcement Award

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