Lok Sabha Question No. 51 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Prevention of Forest Fires
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Smt. Smita Uday Wagh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 51

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Prevention of Forest Fires

## 51. SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  measures are  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  manage and  control fire  in  the forests across the country, especially in the State of Maharashtra;
- (b) whether any plans chalked out by the Government for fire prevention by entrepreneurship with the help of public participation;
- (c) if so, whether any consideration is being taken by the Government to provide designed equipment to frontline workers exposed to forest fires; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Govt. of India assists the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations in prevention and control  of  forest  fires  by  providing  financial  assistance  under  the  ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme(CSS) - Forest Fire Prevention and Management.

Besides, for timely detection and monitoring of forest fires, the Forest Survey of India  (FSI),  an  organization  under  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and Climate Change, has put in place a satellite-based 'Forest Fire Monitoring and Alert system'. The forest fire alerts are disseminated through SMS and e-mail to the registered users.

Also, a 24x7 Disaster Management Control Room has been set up in the Ministry to monitor forest fire incidences in the country.

As per the report received from the State Forest Department, Maharashtra, the following measures have been taken in the State of Maharashtra to manage and control fire in the forests across the State.

- a. Forest fire management plans are prepared to respond to forest fire risks and incidences.
- b. Pre-forest  fire  season  preparatory  activities  such  as  the  creation  and maintenance of fire lines, removing excess grass around sensitive areas, maintenance of the firefighting equipment, etc. are carried out.
- c. Engagement  of  fire  watchers,  regular  patrolling,  and  deployment  of mobile squad units are carried out to keep a constant vigil.
- d. Capacity building of field staff through training, provisioning firefighting equipment for forest fire prevention and management are also carried out.
- e. Community participation through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs)  and  Eco-Development  Committees  (EDCs)  is  promoted  in forest fire management and control.
- f. Drone technology in sensitive areas is also applied.
- g. A forest control room has been set up to monitor and coordinate with the field officers.
8. (b) Public participation in the prevention and control of forest fires is mainly through JFMCs, EDCs, and Van Panchayats.
9. (c)& (d) The  State  Forest  Department,  Government  of  Maharashtra  has  been  adopting modern firefighting methods/equipment. The field staff have been provided with tools  and  equipment  such  as  work  kits,  consisting  of  necessary  equipment  to control forest fire.

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