New Delhi/DDN (PIB)-Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Bhupender Yadav chaired a review meeting at Forest Survey of India, Dehradun today, to review the management and mitigation of Forest Fires across the country. The meeting was attended by DGF&SS, senior officials of Ministry, PCCF Uttarakhand and other officers from State Forest Department. The DG, Forest Survey of India, DG ICFRE, Director FRI and senior officers from these institutions were also present during the meeting.
The Union Minister reviewed the current position of forest fires and its mitigation in the country and laid stress on devising a sound strategy for its mitigation through public participation. He also reviewed the status of forest fire alert system in practice in the country.
During the meeting, it was stressed that the areas getting frequent fires year after year should be on high priority and states should find suitable ways to deal with them. Strengthening the advance early warning systems and providing protective gear to the front line workers combating forest fire was also deliberated.