Odisha Gets Highest Forest Fire Alerts In Country In 7 Days

Bhubaneswar: As Odisha battles severe heatwave, 3,992 fire points were detected in different forests of the state during the last seven days.

The fire points were detected in Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Bargarh, Angul, Boudh, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, and Puri districts, The New Indian Express reported quoting Forest Survey of India (FSI) data.

The FSI, which generates forest fire alerts through MODIS Aqua, MODIS Terra and SNPP VIIRS sensors, also mentioned that besides Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand reported 2,413; 2,048; and 1,333 fire alerts respectively.

According to sources, the Forest department of Odisha government has intensified measures to protect wildlife in the fire affected areas. It has deployed 370 fire protection squads, 330 fire fighting vehicles and 4,800 blower machines.

“Mobile numbers of about 10,000 forest field personnel have been registered with OFMS to ensure 100 per cent response rate,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Debidutta Biswal told the media.

Ground intelligence and foot patrolling have also been increased to keep poachers away, forest officials said.