Check What Odisha Is Doing To Prevent Forest Fires In Similipal Tiger Reserve This Year

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Forest Department has said it was ready with plans to prevent a repeat of last year’s wildfires in the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) and other forests.

Plans are ready for 23 districts and GPS mapping of vulnerable points carried out. The containment plans focus on creating fire lines and mobilising villagers living on the fringes of forests, according to reports.

The department has also factored in likely fund shortages, making provisions for Rs 30 crore to tackle wildfires in Similipal and other forests this year.

The STR recorded 428 fires between January 1 and March 4 last year. The Centre sanctioned only Rs 3.54 crore under Project Tiger for 2021-22 fiscal against a requirement of Rs 16.04 crore, resulting in the national park facing a shortage of manpower to tackle wildfires.

According to Forest Survey of India (FSI) data, Odisha has reported 729 forest fires since January 1 this year, about 1,300 less than the corresponding period last year.

In STR, more than 2,000 firelines have been created and villagers being made aware on how to tackle forest fires in 700 fringe villages in Baripada, Karanjia and Rairangpur divisions.

Around 150 fire squads, 550 protection assistants and 200 field staff along with 400 fire blowers are ready for deployment.