 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 24: Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department today organised a one day Training Workshop on "Forest Fire Management" at Convention Centre, Canal Road here. The workshop was inaugurated today by Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Ecology & Environment, Sanjeev Verma and was presided over by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), J&K, Dr. Mohit Gera.
The workshop has been organized with an aim to sensitise the PRIs, Urban Local Bodies, SDRF, Department of Fire & Emergency Services and frontline staff of Forest Protection Force and Forest Department on latest forest fire management aspects, preparedness in the upcoming summer season for prevention and control of the forest fire incidences.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Verma highlighted the role of District Development Councils, Block Development Councils, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Village Forest Committees for coordinated management in effective prevention and control of forest fires. He stressed on the need of identifying vulnerable forest fire areas for focused forest fire management and deployment of more frontline field personnel there for prompt response and control.
Speaking on the occasion, PCCF gave an overview of Forest Fire Management Challenges and steps taken by the Forest Department in prevention & minimizing the incidences of forest fires. He highlighted about the forest fire scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and outlined the forest fire susceptibility as well as the seasonal variations in incidences of forest fires here.
The PCCF also highlighted about the technology driven approach of the department during his address. He said that several initiatives like mapping of the forest fire prone areas, preparation of J&K forest fire manual, procurement of modern fire fighting tools and equipments and launching of Mobile App "Pahredaar" for efficient management of Forest fires have been launched by the department.
DFO Jammu, Alok Maurya during the workshop presented the field level realities and responses and deliberated on the mechanism of forest fire prevention and control at Forest Division level.
BDC chairperson Dansal, Reena Thapa while speaking on the occasion highlighted the importance of close coordination between forest department and local community members in forest fire management and emphasised on the need of creation of more water harvesting structures to store water in the forest areas in order to decrease the severity of the forest fires. |
