Bhubaneswar: The Chief of Forest Fire Task Force Sandeep Tripathi today said that nine points in Similipal is under forest fire and 700 fire points were identified in the state.
Tripathi said the forest fire situation in the state is under control and added that 1050 forest employees were engaged to douse the fire. This apart, 800 forest staff and 250 watchers have also been pressed into service for the purpose, the Chief of Task Force said. Forty vehicles are also engaged for fire fighting work.
The sanctuary spreads over 2750 sq km that houses 13 rivers, four categories of forest, 1076 species of mammals, 29 species of reptiles and 231 species of birds. Tripathi said if the fire spreads to the core area, then it will be disastrous.
The press release issued by the Task Force said parts of the State, including Similipal has experienced rains yesterday, which would be congenial in stopping any further spread of fire in State.
The release said the daily forest fire points generated using MODIS & SNPP satellite data received from FSI by Forest IT & Geomatic Centre (FITGC) are made available real time upto beat level to counter the forest fire.
Over 95% of all these fire points are addressed in the field, the release said and added that 24X7 Forest Fire Cell in PCCF/ PCCF WL & all DFOs is functioning. The Free Toll No of PCCF Office Fire Cell is:- 1800-3457-158.
Leaves of all forest field staff have been cancelled by the Government. The manpower & infrastructure engaged in forest fire mitigation is enhanced with more fire watchers and almost doubling of leaf blowers.
The Task Force release said the DFOs were directed to enhance community engagement with assistance of PRIs and Self Help Groups to douse the fire. A series of meetings for awareness drives among local communities involving 2718 VSS have been conducted, the release added.
Presently eight ODRAF teams with 25 members are dousing forest fire along with forest staff all over the State. The release said Subrat Mohapatra and Amit Mallik, two members from Govt of India of the Task Force are camping inside Similipal Forest and added that the future course of action will be decided after their return from field.
