The Hindu : Other States / Uttaranchal News : Lokayukta flak on Forest Department

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Tuesday, May 31, 2005

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Lokayukta flak on Forest Department

Staff Correspondent

Failure to check forest fires in Uttaranchal; task force constituted to suggest scientific ways

DEHRA DUN: The Uttaranchal Lokayukta, Justice S.H.A. Raza, has expressed grave displeasure at the State Forest Department and Forest Corporation for failing to take any steps to reduce the incidents of massive forest fires in the Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Almora, and other parts of the State despite his specific directives six months ago.

In an order in the case of M.M. Pant, retired Conservator of Forests, versus the Principal Secretary Forests, the Lokayukta expressed astonishment at the State failing to initiate any steps to protect the forests as directed by him and putting up lame excuses that the fires got started naturally due to the summer heat and sometimes by the local people.

"The Forest officials seem to have forgotten the age-old system of making and maintaining fire lines to prevent spread of forest fires. Also the authorities now burn the fallen leaves and twigs within the dense forest areas thereby sparking of huge fires that not only destroy fauna and flora worth crores of rupees but cause irreversible damage to the ecology," he said.

The Lokayukta also asked the officials to desist from using `counter fires' to put out the blaze. Counter fires are known to have served no purpose till date, he said.

Wondering how the senior officials expected the forest guard to put out fires with a ` lathi', the Lokayukta wanted the Government to provide sufficient funds to the Forest Department to develop a proper fire fighting system, complete with trained personnel, equipment and vehicles. In the developed countries forest fires are fought by firemen supported by aircrafts showering water or inert gases over the areas on fire.

In Uttaranchal we could make a good beginning by introducing fire brigade vans at least, he said.

Ordering the forest officials and the Government to stop giving lame excuses, the Lokayukta has constituted a Task Force headed by the Additional Chief Secretary to suggest scientific ways of controlling the forest fires menace in this forest rich State.

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