PANJIM
A review meeting on wildfires in Goa discussed plans to include the State in the National Forest Fire Prevention and Management Plan to prevent and manage fires in forests in the future.
The video-conferencing meeting called by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of the Ministry of Home Affairs had officers of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Goa government and the State Disaster Management Authority.
“During the meeting, it was discussed that Goa should be included in the National Forest Fire Prevention and Management Plan being prepared by NDMA (MHA). The Member, NDMA, and Additional Secretary, NDMA, advised Goa Forest Department to assess the areas affected by fires and take corrective measures at the earliest. The State Government will prepare a comprehensive Forest Fire Management Plan to prevent and manage forest fires,” Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said.
Chief Conservator of Forests Saurabh Kumar gave a detailed presentation updating the status of fires in Goa, the nature and likely causes as well as action taken by the department in close coordination with line departments, including Collectors, superintendents of police of both the districts, Fire and Emergency Services, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force Community, volunteers, and others.
A total of 71 fire spots have been attended to and doused since the outbreak on March 5. The State forests did not report any active fires on Tuesday, a much-needed relief to the rescue team and volunteers. The minister said that the forest officials will continue to be at the extinguished fire locations to look for recurrence.
Forest fire management includes planning, preventing, controlling and fighting fires to protect people, property and forest resources.
The initial framework of the project aims at minimizing forest fires by informing, enabling and empowering forest fringe communities and incentivizing them to work in tandem with the State forest departments.
Fore risk zoning and mapping, forest fire preparedness followed by fire suppression and post-fire management, and mobilization of financial resources are among other factors covered in the project.
The framework also intends to substantially reduce the vulnerability of forests across the diverse forest ecosystems against fire hazards.
