PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
With summer setting in Uttarakhand spurring chances of forest fires, the chief secretary Anand Bardhan held a meeting with the departments concerned at the State secretariat on Wednesday. Some important guidelines were issued in the course of the meeting. He said that all necessary meetings with all committees and stakeholders related to forest fires must be held by January-end every year and all arrangements must be ensured before the onset of the forest fire season. He directed that dedicated pressure pipelines be provided for fire hydrants installed at various locations across the state. The Peya Jal Nigam was instructed to prepare a proposal for this soon. Bardhan directed the Forest department to conduct a drive and inspect all forest fire prevention arrangements while stressing on keeping ready vehicles and equipment for use in emergencies.
He directed the Forest, Meteorological and Forest Survey of India to develop a disaster-like prediction model for forest blazes. “This will enable advance prediction of forest fires, which will help prevent and minimise loss of life and property,” he added.
Further, he issued the directive for special efforts to promote the disposal of the inflammable pine needles from forests and the production of sawdust briquettes. He urged that more units should be set up in the state to establish sawdust briquettes as a fuel alternative. “This will not just help prevent forest fires but increase the availability of alternative fuels. Moreover, this will help improve the economic well-being of self-help groups,” he added.
Among others present at the meeting through video conferencing were the secretary Dilip Jawalkar chief conservator of forests, Pankaj Kumar Pandey and special secretary Parag Madhukar Dhakate along with other senior officers and a number of district magistrates
