The Hindu : Steps to tackle forest fires

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 19, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Steps to tackle forest fires

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 18. The Forest Department has chalked out short-term and long-term plans to deal with fires in forests.

More firewatchers and workers would be engaged to put out the fires. Steps would be taken to address water scarcity in the forests. The Crisis Management Committee (Drought), headed by the Chief Secretary, N. Chandrasekharan Nair, released Rs. 8.03 crores for fire protection of forests. The District Collectors would release funds according to requirement.

A conference of forest conservators, convened by the Forest Minister, on Wednesday, reviewed the situation. The Chief Conservators have been asked to visit the districts again and supervise fire protection activities. The Minister would be reviewing the situation every week.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, P. K. Surendranathan Asari, said that immediate steps would be taken to set up water-harvesting structures in buildings and other facilities of the department. Steps would be taken to supply water through tankers to tribals and animals as a short-term measure. Bore-wells and hand pumps would be set up. Deepening and desilting of riverbeds, ponds and waterholes and construction of check-dams would also be undertaken.

The District Collectors would sanction up to Rs. 15 lakhs for works at the range and divisional levels.

Mr. Asari said long-term plans would involve micro-level watershed management. Construction of rainwater harvesting structures, check-dams and surface tanks would be undertaken as part of this. The Minister had directed that the works should be carried out in a transparent manner.

Blaze in Ponmudi

Meanwhile, the grass and bushes in an area of about 10 acres near the Guest House at Ponmudi were charred in a fire which broke out in the hill resort today. On being alerted, fire engines were rushed to the hill resort from Thiruvananthapuram at around 1 p.m. and the blaze was put out with the help of Forest staff by about 2-30 p.m.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala