“Light rain has been occurring at different place in Odisha for the last two days. Cloudy sky has also prevailed. Forest fire has been extinguished at more than 97 per cent,” Biswal told reporters.
He said the department manages to extinguish forest fire within a short period of time in the State as it spreads on the ground. “There is no need to use helicopter for dousing ground fire in our forests as we manage to extinguish the inferno within a short period time,” said the PCCF.
He said only 100 to 200 forest fires were recorded on the day.
He said the main challenge for the department is to see that fire doesn’t occur in forests.
“We are creating awareness. We will be taking stern action against those setting forests on fire,” said Biswal.
It may be noted that the issue of forest fire rocked the Odisha Assembly recently as Opposition members slammed the negligence of the State Government in extinguishing the fire.
Odisha has witnessed a jump in a forest fire, becoming the worst affected State in the country if the Forest Survey of India (FSI) report is any indication.
Read More: Alas, Odisha forest department looks other way as jungles burn
The manifold jump in forest fire alerts has emerged as a major threat to the fragile ecosystem, flora, and fauna in forest areas. The State recorded more than 30 per cent of the country’s forest fire in last week. About 600 incidents of forest fire has reportedly occurred so far.
