CM directs establishment of integrated command & control centre for forest fires

Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has directed that an integrated fire command and control centre be set up immediately at the forest department headquarters in Dehradun. This will be the first centre of its king for forest fire management in the country. Arrangements will be made at this centre to collect forest fire related satellite data and convey this directly to the field level. Along with forest toll free number 1926, other modern facilities will be arranged here. The CM issued these directions while chairing a meeting with department officials regarding forest fire safety and management here on Friday. Rawat also flagged off motorbikes procured under the CAMPA fund and released a copy of the state fire plan on the occasion.

The CM said that the ex-gratia of Rs 2.5 lakh given to dependents of frontline forest staff who die while tackling forest fires will be raised to Rs 15 lakh. He said that an officer of the level of additional principal chief conservator of forests should be accorded responsibility of forest fire management to ensure monitoring aimed at preventing forest fires. Special focus should also be laid on control burning and maintenance of forest fire lines; hindrances being faced in this should be resolved soon. Stating that frontline forest staff members are an important link for forest security and management, the CM directed that residential forest lines be constructed for them. More focus should be laid on solar fencing than safety walls for protection from wildlife, he said. Principal chief conservator of forests (head of forest force) Rajiv Bhartari, principal secretary, forests, Anand Bardhan and other senior officials were also present in the meeting. 

Saturday, 13 February 2021 | PNS | Dehradun