Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatro on Tuesday reviewed virtually the incidents of frequent forest fires in the State with district Collectors and SPs and Forest Department officials .
He directed officials to make efforts on a war-footing on 24x7 basis to tackle the situation in a more effective manner. He also asked the concerned district functionaries to prevent further spread of fires by intensifying night patrolling and attending to fire alerts promptly. Mahapatra said the State-level Task Force formed on the instructions of the Chief Minister would daily review the fire situation.
The Government has decided to engage more manpower and equipments for the purpose. It has been decided to put additional 100 squads, beyond 600 different squads. Each squad comprises 10 persons and a vehicle. Besides, additional 700 blowers are being procured to put in to work. He also directed the officials to take stringent action and lodge criminal cases against the offenders who are setting fire in the jungles and indulging in poaching.
