PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that public participation is key for controlling forest fires in the State. He stressed on inter departmental coordination, cooperation of social organizations, Mahila Mangal Dals, Yuvak Mangal Dals and Van Panchayats for preventing the incidents of forest fires.
The CM gave the instructions while supervising a mock drill organized by National Disaster Management Authority, Home ministry and Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority at IT Park Dehradun on Thursday.
On a stern note, the CM directed that strict action should also be taken against anti-social elements who set fire to forests. Emphasising coordination between different departments the CM directed additional chief secretary RK Sudhanshu to issue a letter to ensure participation of all departments to prevent incidents of forest fire.
The CM said that the Forest department should adopt Along with Sheetalakhet model and work should be done on chaal-khal, talaiya and other measures to prevent forest fires. He added that emphasis should also be given on the use of modern technology in this endeavour.
Dhami said that the State has to face many challenges due to forest fires and it causes loss of forest wealth and loss to wildlife.
He said that regular awareness campaigns should be undertaken to control forest fires and special attention should be given to innovations. He has also appealed to the people of the State to play an active role in preventing incidents of forest fire.
The mock drill was organised at 16 places in six districts of the State. The objective of the drill was to deal with various situations due to forest fires, reducing response time, public cooperation and other effective measures to prevent them.
The CM appreciated the exercise and said that such mock drills will definitely help in controlling forest fires.
The deputy chairman of State advisory committee on disaster Vinay Kumar Ruhela, principal secretary RK Sudhanshu, secretary Disaster Management Vinod Kumar Suman, IG Fire Mukhtar Mohsin, senior consultant of NDMA Aditya Kumar and others attended the meeting.
