FOREST FIRE BIG WORRY FOR B’NGIR OFFICIALS

FOREST FIRE BIG WORRY FOR B’NGIR OFFICIALS

Saturday, 17 March 2018 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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Even as the forest officials in the district were happy that the percentage of forest cover has increased substantially, their happiness was short-lived as rising number of fire incidents has been devouring forest area, besides the flora and fauna since the onset of summer this year.

The frequencies of the forest fire have kept the fire squad boys on toes as at times fire is reported from multiple points.

Forest fire raged Sunadei reserve forest area on March 13 night and a plantation in Upparuddar village in Sargard section in Loisingha range on March 14 was also damaged due to fire.

Villagers telephoned to local forest officials and range officials but they did not get timely response.

Upparuddar VSS president alleged that no forest official reached to douse the fire which is distressing.

“On March 14, I inquired about the situation from Loisingha range officer who said that multiple fire points were reported and that became a reason why there were delays in reaching the spot,” said DFO Sameer Satpathy.

Forest department cannot fight fire alone with squads. Why no sensitisation meeting and training of forest officials are held this year like last year where all forest officials starting from DFO and ACF Range Officers were on the field with the staff to fight forest fire successfully, asked a local here.