Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to protect forests from fire and poaching, 51 specially customized All-Terrain Motor Vehicles (ATVs) have been deployed. This initiative aims to enhance mobility, reduce response time, and prevent clandestine activities in the state’s forests.
Odisha boasts a vast geographical area of 8,869 square kilometers, with reserved forests covering 5.69 percent. The state is home to 19 sanctuaries, one national park, two tiger reserves, and two protected areas, providing a habitat for numerous rare and endangered wildlife species.
The Forest Department has been working tirelessly to protect and conserve these areas, facing challenges such as poaching, forest fires, and biological pressures. The introduction of these customized ATVs will enable faster patrolling, monitoring, and surveillance, helping to mitigate these threats.
In addition to the ATVs, 41 Fire Fighting Units and 47 Fire Fighting Support Units with customized sprinkler systems were handed over to the Forest Department. These vehicles are designed to reduce damage from forest fires by minimizing response time and roadside fires. The funds for this initiative have been sanctioned under the State Disaster Response Fund and provided as Special Relief by the Commissioner.
