20210312 Fire breaks out in Thane auto garage
India Mar 12 2021 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Fire breaks out in Thane auto garage
Updated: 2021-03-12
BHUBANESWAR: A two-member team of experts from the Centre on Thursday began taking stock of the forest fire situation in the state to assess its impact on wildlife, ascertain the extent of overall damage and to suggest possible remedial measures even as the state government claimed that the situation had been brought fully under control.
Team member Amit Mallick, inspector general of forests, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi, said they were fully aware of the exact number of fires. “During the next two to three days, we will assess the magnitude of the loss. The loss to wildlife, if any, will be one of the main aspects of our assessment. We will also look into other facets.”
Though the state government authorities had earlier said there was no impact on wildlife or damage to big trees, some reports suggested that some herbivore animals (mainly deer) were moving towards villages in search of food.
Mallick, who arrived in Bhubaneswar earlier in the day, was accompanied by Subrat Mahapatra, deputy director general, ministry of environment and Forest Regional Office, Bhubaneswar. The duo’s first stop was the Similipal Tiger Reserve.
We will examine the causes of fire, the actions taken and suggest any other pre-emptive steps, if needed, to prevent its recurrence in view of a warmer summer. We will also give our inputs on ways to minimise damage to the biosphere,” Mallick said.
Sandeep Tripathi, the former principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), who is leading a nine-member state task force to contain the forest fire, said, “The Similipal reserve had just one active fire point on Thursday. The total number of fire points across the state have drastically fallen to around 210 from 498 a day before.”
“The proactive approach of the government, along with the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), the Panchayati Raj members and round-the-clock rigorous work of the field staff have resulted in the containment of fire in Similipal and other parts of the state,” he added. Rain in Karanjia and the Anandpur wildlife divisions on Wednesday and in Udala and Kaptipada on Thursday helped in their efforts.
PCCF Jitendra Kumar said the enforcement will be stepped up further in view of the scorching summer. “Efforts are being made to create greater awareness among people staying in the villages near forests so that there is quick reaction to any fire. The situation is under control,” he said. A statement issued by the forest department said the leaves of the forest department employees have been cancelled.
Web Source: The Times of India