399 Teams Deployed To Contain Forest Fires In Odisha, Minister Informs Assembly

Bhubaneswar: With opposition leaders voicing concern over raging forest fires in different parts of Odisha, the state government on Wednesday said 399 teams have been deployed  to extinguish blaze.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pradip Kumar Amat gave this information in the state Assembly.

Replying to an adjournment motion moved by the opposition on forest fires, the Minister said that the state government has set up a special technical cell and constituted a task force as part of efforts to extinguish the forest fires.

As per their recommendation, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued by the government to control forest fires in different areas, he said.

This apart, action plans have been drawn up at the district level to contain forest fires. A control room is also functioning round-the-clock.

Stating that the government is on alert to deal with the situation, Amat said the 339 teams deployed for extinguishing forest fires have been provided with vehicles, fire blowers and safety equipment.

The Minister further informed that by March 13, out of the 22,786 forest fire points reported in the state 22,316 have been contained.

Not satisfied with the Minister’s reply, opposition BJP legislators staged a walkout.