Chief Secretary BK Agarwal on Thursday said the Himachal government would form a dedicated Quick Response Team (QRT) Task Force to tackle forest fires with the help of Home Guards for the first.

The QRT would be deployed in 80 forest fire sensitive Forest Ranges in the state in addition to forest staff, he said while presiding over a meeting to control forest fires in Himachal Pradesh.

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Agarwal said the forest fire season has already begun and Forest Department is taking all possible measures to combat forest fires in the state. The QRT will be responsible to respond in case of emergency without any delay.

“There are 196 forest ranges in Himachal Pradesh out of which 80 forest ranges are most sensitive and fire prone,” he added.

He said fire brigade will also remain on alert to control forest fires along the roads and he directed the home guard to keep ready fire resistance kit including fire uniform etc.

Agarwal asked the forest officers to explore the new technology and methods to extinguish forest fire along with traditional ones. He said that local people should be recognised and honored at district level who render help in controlling forest fires so that good massage goes to society.

He directed to integrate the Forest Control Room Number with the Control Room Number of state and District Disaster Management which is 1077 and 1070 respectively for quick dissemination of forest fire information to the concerned officers to respond immediately.

Additional Chief Secretary Forest Ram Subhag Singh said the forest is the most expensive treasure of Himachal Pradesh and it is our duty to protect and conserve it. Creation of dedicated QRT Task Force and inter-departmental cooperation will be a productive step towards protecting and conserving the forest of state.

He said last year 122 forest fire cases were reported up to 30 April, whereas, only 27 cases of forest fires were reported this year up to 8 May in the state.

He said in all 28 fire sensitive forest divisions, one vehicle with water tanks, lifting motors and pipes have been made available during forest fire season and second such vehicle would be provided soon.

Four vehicles were used for public awareness regarding forest fires and publicity campaigns through ‘Nukad Nataks’ were held in 68 places of 11 districts excluding Lauhal Spiti from 22 to 30 March, 2019 before forest fire season with the financial assistance of State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).

A Rapid Forest Fire Force has been registered with Forest Survey of India (FSI) through which more than 11,000 volunteers, NGOs and Members of PRIs receive SMS of forest fire alert in their area. This figure is highest in country and likely to exceed 20,000 in near future.