Bhubaneswar: It is shocking to learn that as many as 533 incidents of forest fires were reported from different locations in Odisha just in the last seven days. A report released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on Tuesday revealed that the largest number of wildfires in the country occurred in Odisha during the last week!
Twenty-three of the 533 forest fire incidents reported in the state during the period are said to be major blazes.
Taking into consideration the number of forest fires reported since November 1, 2022, Karnataka is ranked at the top, followed by Odisha. However, Odisha may soon secure the top spot as incidents of wildfires in the state are increasing at an alarming rate, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Debidutta Biswal told media persons here on Tuesday.
Despite all the talk about environmental conservation, as many as 95 forest fires were reported in Odisha on Tuesday alone. These fire incidents were reported from Similipal, Baliguda, Phulbani and Sundargarh, which are extremely prone to wildfires.
The FSI report said that the maximum number of forest fires occurred in the Koraput forest circle of Odisha this year.
Most of these forest fires are man-made Biswal said, adding that his department is vigilant and efforts are being made to check such forest fires.
Till January 24, 2023, the state witnessed 695 forest fire incidents and the figure reached 1,695 on Tuesday. On the other hand, 1,899 incidents of forest fires were reported in Karnataka during the same period. The maximum number of forest fires in India was reported on January 24.
