Dehradun: Following the instructions of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Uttarakhand is set to organize a mock drill to put an effective check on the forest fires in January month. Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and Forest Department are working in coordination to ensure proper preparations for the mock drill.
Uttarakhand has received instructions from the NDMA to conduct mock drills to protect the forests from fire and to effectively control forest fires.
Uttarakhand recorded highest number of forest fires
Uttarakhand has witnessed 21033 forest fires from November 2023 to June 2024, the highest number to be recorded by any state in the country. This was brought to light in the biennial India State Forest Report, published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) in its 2023 report.
Preparation for the mock drills
On Monday evening, a meeting was held with various departments and districts regarding the preparation of the mock drill under the chairmanship of Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Mr. Vinod Kumar Suman at the State Emergency Operation Centre located at Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority.
Mocks drills will be organized in seven districts
The mock drills will be organized in the state’s seven districts, which are under the category of most sensitive in view of the forest fire, on the lines of the instructions given by the NDMA on January 22. These seven districts are Almora, Nainital, Champawat, Dehradun, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Pauri.
A tabletop exercise to discuss the preparations for mock drills
Before the mock drills, an orientation and coordination meeting will be organized on January 7. A tabletop exercise will be held on January 20 to discuss the preparations for the mock drills. Necessary guidelines regarding the mock drill have been given to departments concerned, besides the divisional forest officers of the districts concerned.
Regular review of Pirul collection
At the meeting, Vineet Kumar, additional secretary, forest department, said a meeting should be held to discuss the Forest Fire Management Plan. He also said that the collection of Pirul (dried pine leaves) should be reviewed regularly. According to him, the less Pirul in the forests means reduction in the chances of the incidents of forest fire.
