Dehradun: Uttarakhand government has worked out a plan to put the incidents of forest fire under control across the state. This hill state has 71 percent forest cover. It has become a major challenge for the state government to bring the forest fires under control. This year forest fires were reported from almost every district of the state.
Sources said the state government has sought Rs 400 crores from the union forest and climate change ministry to control the forest fires and gather resources for the same. A proposal, which the state government has prepared, has been sent to the union forest ministry in this regard. The state government has made a five-year action plan to deal with the incidents of forest fire.
Forest fires are major challenge for Uttarakhand
This year forest fires claimed at least 11 lives, besides badly affecting forest estate. This matter also reached the court and questions were raised over the functioning of the state’s forest department. In view of the growing incidents of forest fire, the state government also initiated action against the senior officer of the forest department.
Focus on the availability of small fire fighting vehicles
As per the proposal of the state’s forest department, special emphasis is given on the availability of small fire fighting vehicles in the forest areas. Such vehicles will be helpful in quickly controlling the forest fires. Small fire fighting vehicles will be equipped with small water tanks and fire extinguishers. These vehicles will be useful in extinguishing the road-side forest fires. Pine forests are very sensitive to fires.
Need for water conservation works in pine forests
The government has underlined the need for water conservation works in the pine forests in its proposal sent to the centre. The water conservation works will help in maintaining the moisture in the forests as well as preventing the spread of fires. The forest department has also made plans to purchase and collect the pine needles.
Requirement of Leaf Blower Machine
Under the plan, the focus is also on cleaning the leaves with the help of leaf blower machines. So, the government wants to buy leaf blower machines.
