Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, chaired a crucial review meeting today on June 21, 2024, at the Forest Survey of India (FSI) headquarters in Dehradun. The meeting focused on evaluating the current management and mitigation strategies for forest fires across India.
Minister Yadav highlighted the importance of a robust strategy to mitigate forest fires, highlighting the necessity of public participation in these efforts. He reviewed the current status of forest fires nationwide and the effectiveness of the existing forest fire alert systems. Stressing the critical need for advanced preparedness, Yadav called for prioritizing areas that experience frequent fires year after year.
The meeting underscored the need for states to develop effective methods to address recurrent forest fires, including enhancing early warning systems and ensuring frontline workers have access to protective gear. Strengthening these systems is crucial to safeguarding both the environment and the lives of those combating the fires.
Minister Yadav’s review comes at a time when forest fires have become increasingly frequent and severe, posing significant threats to biodiversity, human health, and property.
The meeting was attended by the Director General of Forests & Special Secretary (DGF&SS), senior officials from the Ministry, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Uttarakhand, and other key officers from various state forest departments. Additionally, the Director General of FSI, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), and Director of the Forest Research Institute (FRI) participated in the discussions.
The collaborative efforts discussed during the meeting are expected to strengthen India's response to forest fires, ensuring a more resilient and prepared framework for future challenges.
