Odisha strengthens forest fire preparedness with 20,461 km firebreak line

Bhubaneswar, Feb 4 :Odisha has significantly ramped up its forest fire preparedness this year by creating an extensive firebreak line spanning about 20,461 kilometres, alongside deploying advanced technological and field-level measures to prevent and control forest fires.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Dr K. Murugesan said the Forest Department is in the final stages of readiness ahead of the upcoming forest fire season. Emphasis has been placed on a combination of modern technology and strengthened ground operations to ensure early detection and rapid response.

To enhance monitoring, AI-powered cameras and drones have been deployed for early fire detection. In addition, 334 independent security teams have been positioned across forest ranges and beats, equipped with over 5,000 leaf blowers and other firefighting tools.

Senior forest officials have reviewed comprehensive technical and field-level strategies aimed at minimising the impact of forest fires, which pose serious threats to forests, wildlife, and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

Last year, Odisha recorded 29,709 forest fire incidents, most of which were attributed to human negligence, dry grass, and the accumulation of fallen leaves. However, swift action by forest personnel, supported by satellite-based early warning systems, helped control around 99.7 per cent of these incidents, substantially reducing damage.

Building on last year’s efforts, the Forest Department has prepared independent district-level action plans for the current season. More than 631 training programmes have been conducted for forest staff, while about 200 NDRF personnel have received specialised training in forest fire prevention and management.

The department has also intensified community engagement, appealing to local residents for cooperation in preventing forest fires. Awareness campaigns are currently being carried out in 336 villages through Forest Protection Committees and Eco-Development Committees, reinforcing the role of communities in safeguarding forest resources.