Workshop on forest fire prevention and management organized

The Forest and Climate Change Department today organized a one-day workshop on forest fire prevention and management in the Dandakaranya Auditorium of Aranya Bhawan, Nava Raipur. The aim of the workshop was to encourage coordinated efforts to reduce the threats posed by forest fires, which seriously impact biodiversity and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. Senior forest officials, security personnel, policy makers and experts participated in this workshop.

In the workshop, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief of Forest Force, Shri V. Srinivas Rao emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts in forest fire management. He said that this workshop is an important step towards strengthening and coordinating forest fire management strategies in Chhattisgarh.

Similarly, former PCCF Dr. R.K. Singh highlighted the importance of awareness, technological innovation and role of community based efforts in forest fire management. Inspector General of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Shri Rajesh S. discussed the National Forest Fire Action Plan and also appreciated the efforts made by Chhattisgarh Forest Department under the State Action Plan.

Besides, Shri Sunil Kumar Mishra (APCCF) and Shri Prem Kumar (APCCF) discussed in detail the specific challenges related to forest fire in the state and the complications arising due to left wing extremism. Representatives of police and security forces in the workshop stressed the need for better coordination between security forces and forest department and shared their views on joint strategies to reduce forest fire risk in sensitive areas. Advanced technology of forest fire suppression, best practices, and innovations in fire monitoring were discussed in various sessions of the workshop. This session was moderated by Shri Pankaj Rajput.