TNI Bureau: Odisha Government on Monday formed a Sate level Task Force for the prevention and management of forest fire incidents in the State.
Nine-member Task Force, constituted by the Forest and Environment Department under the chairmanship of IFS Dr. Sandeep Tripathi, will review the ongoing Forest Fire incidents, causes and immediate containment.
The Task Force will suggest measures for augmentation of existing fire management protocols including geomatics based fire alert system.
The team will also recommend suggestions for improved community participation in fire management and prevention and conduct post assessment of forest fire affected area, loss to wildlife, biodiversity and suggest appropriate measures for augmentation.
The Task Force chief Sandeep Tripathy informed that fire in Similipal has not spread to core area of biosphere reserve & the flames are restricted to outer parts of the Similipal Tiger project.
As per the Odisha Government’s claim, the forest fire situation almost under control in Similipal Reserve.