Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur on Thursday interacted with all the Chief Conservators and Conservators of Forests across Himachal Pradesh through video conferencing and directed them to curb forest fire incidents at the earliest.
Thakur said that state was prepared to tackle such situations and directed the officers to seek support from local civil and police administration, officers of fire services, ITBP, SSB and Home Guards for controlling fires.
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He directed the Chief Conservators and Conservator of Forests to enhance the number of volunteers of forest fire fighting force and utilise their services. He said that government has arranged helicopter which can be used and added that they should identify water sources in remote areas in their circles.
“All possible financial assistance would be provided for checking forest fires,” he said, adding they could also hire vehicles for the same if needed.
He also directed that every forest circle would report about fire incidents of their circle to nodal officer (fire incident) CCF Alok Nagar. The minister expressed grief over the sad demise of Ashok Kumar, Deputy Ranger Dalhousie who lost his life during fire fighting operation.