Bhubaneswar: Forest fires have destroyed a total of 22,293 hectares of forests in Odisha over the past three years, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia told the state assembly on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question by BJD leader and Salipur MLA Prasanta Behera, the minister said that 8,462 hectares were lost to fire in 2022, followed by 9,764 hectares in 2023, and 4,067 hectares so far in 2024.
To prevent forest fires this summer, Singhkhuntia said the government has implemented several measures. Fire lines have been created within forest interiors and along boundaries, while awareness campaigns are being conducted at forest compartment and range levels. Information boards, banners, and advertisements have been displayed at key locations, and mock drills are being carried out to train local communities and staff in fire prevention.
The minister added that trained fire protection squads have been formed and equipped with 334 vehicles, 1,037 leaf blowers, firefighting tools, and fire safety kits. For forest fire suppression, 334 fire protection squads are actively deployed. Villagers participating through Village Forest Protection Committees (VSS) are provided assistance funds based on their level of involvement.
For real-time monitoring, AI/ML cameras have been installed at forest check posts, and 24×7 control rooms have been set up at the State Headquarters and forest division offices. Mobile numbers of staff deployed at range, section, and beat levels have been registered to receive fire alerts, supplemented by updates from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) website.
Singhkhuntia emphasised that these measures are aimed at minimising forest fire damage and ensuring better forest management during the critical summer months.
