Bhubaneswar: The head of Odisha Government’s Task Force on Forest Fire today informed that the situation in the State is totally under control now.
A press communique released today by the Office o f Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF stated, “Due to the Government’s integrated and pro-active measures, forest fire has been fully contained in Similipal and across the State today.” Task Force chief Sandeep Tripathy explained, “The entire State had registered only 1048 FSI satellite based forest points against the 497 yesterday with Similipal reporting only five fire points as against the 26/24 points for last two days. The forest fire has been completely contained in both Similipal and across the State.”
He stated , “ Similipal experienced rain yesterday that augurs well as the fire can’t widespread. IMD Bhubaneswar has predicted that the State is likely to experience intermittent rains across the State in the next three days. This will immensely help in containing the forest fire.” “Massive scaling-up has been made by the State Government in infrastructure and manpower as the number of leaf blowers was doubled.
More than 1000 fire watchers were deployed. Besides, the PRIs and ODRAF teams were deployed in more numbers. Until yesterday, eight ODRAF teams have been pressed into action. Also, the support extended by the district administrations has accentuated the volume of help to the Forest Department to tackle the forest fire and it has paid dividend,” opined the Task Force chief.
He also informed, “Today, the three-member team of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoE&F) has visited Similipal. After assessing the fire situation there, Mr Mallik of the team will discuss with us.”
“On behalf of the State Government, we appeal the general public to cooperate with the Forest Department and other personnel who are on their mission to douse the flames,” the senior IFS officer exhorted.
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