Avinash Azad
Jammu, June 8: Notwithstanding minister's claims strengthening forest department, in a recent fire incident that took in Kalidhar forest and other areas had destroyed forest produce worth several crores. Moreover, last year a forest guard was died in Reasi, while dousing fire, unfortunately the department has neither equipment nor any special training being provided to firefighting staff.
Sources in department told Early Times that no remedial steps were taken to overcome the problem of fire that broke outs every year during peak summer, by the department this year. "Fire in forest has become a regular feature for the department, especially low zones and pine forest", sources said, alleging that no remedial steps taken for this year.
Sources also alleged that funds meant for firefighting purpose or awareness are being misused.
"No survey was conducted to identify fire prone areas, as well as no signboards with emergency contact numbers were installed along highway by the forest department, which is obligation of Divisional Forest Officers", said an officer, adding that according firefighting preparedness fire lanes were to be made in fire prone zones by March ending every year.
"Not a single fire lane for made in this year to meet the catastrophe", sources claimed, adding that needle clearance in pine forest areas was also not done. "Needle clearance it also called control burning is done in Pine tree forest", sources said, adding elaborating the process, they said, "Pine needles are collected before the month of April and burnt in isolate place it reduces fire incidents in forests."
They further said since locals are well-aware about demography of their respective areas, they might be very help full in firefighting. "No meeting in any village level falls under fire prone area was held to spread awareness of loss to forest due fire", the sources said. Chief Conservator of Forest, Roshan Jaggi could not be contacted. |
