Forest department to hold forest fire week from Feb 1 to 7 across Maharashtra

Kolhapur: The forest department will hold a special forest fire week from Feb 1 to 7 across all forest divisions in Maharashtra, under which a 24X7 control room has been activated and various outreach activities have been planned to raise public awareness.Every year, the period between Feb 15 and June 15 is considered wildfire season in view of a high number of forest fires, resulting in extensive loss of forest wealth and biodiversity. "During the awareness week, officials hold meetings in villages located in forested and fire-prone areas to sensitise residents about the dangers of forest fires. Villagers are informed about the importance of forest conservation and encouraged to cooperate with authorities to minimise environmental damage and protect government property. Awareness drives are also carried out through advertisements, hoardings, audio-visual messages and public engagements," an official said.To reduce fire risk, the department cleared a 12-metre-wide buffer strip along forest boundaries on interstate borders and a six-metre-wide strip along district borders. Fire lines were also drawn along forest perimeters, ownership areas and adjoining roads to prevent the spread of flames.Deputy conservator of forests Dhairyasheel Patil said all officials had been instructed to remain alert in matters of forest conservation and protection. "Programmes highlighting the importance of forests and the impact of wildfires will be organised at gram panchayats and other public venues during the fortnight and week-long campaign," he said.Fire watchers have been deployed in designated zones, and precautionary measures strengthened. In case of a fire, teams of forest staff and villagers acted swiftly to control and extinguish it. "A dedicated control room has been set up, where officials work round the clock. The forest helpline ‘1926' has now been made toll-free. We urge citizens to immediately report any illegal activities or deforestation cases. The identity of informants will be kept confidential," Patil added.