Odisha Forest Fires Part Of Ecosystem, Says Top Official

Bhubaneswar: While the raging forest fires in several parts of Odisha has triggered a panic, the state Forest Department has said that they are a natural phenomenon and part of the ecosystem.

“Forest fires in Odisha are a natural phenomenon and occur every year. But this year, the intensity of the blazes has gone up due to the abnormal rise in day temperature and lack of rainfall in February,” PCCF in-charge Jitendra Kumar told the media here.

Kumar, however, added that there will be no damage to the ecosystem due to the fires.

“In some states, forest fire is categorized as ’crown fire’, in which the big trees catch fire. But in Odisha, the forest fire is categorized as ‘ground fire’ in which the blaze catches dry leaves and bushes,” he pointed out.

Asked if there is a possibility of the outbreak of fire in a place where it has been doused earlier, Kumar clarified that there is no chance as the organic matters in that place have been already burnt.

The PCCF in-charge said the Forest Department along with members of the Vana Suraksha Samiti is making efforts to douse the forest fires. “We are using advanced technology to arrest the fires at the earliest possible,” he said.

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