DFOs now held responsible for forest fires in Odisha

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Apr 21, 2016 at 5:25 PM Updated On : Apr 21, 2016 at 5:35 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 21:

With the rise in number of forest fires in Odisha, forest officials, including the Divisional Forest Officers (DFO) would be held responsible for the outbreak of wildfires in the state.

The forest fire in Tirumala (Photo: IANS)

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The forest officials have been asked to strictly keep track of forest fires which cause death of wildlife. If any neglect is found than the official will be held responsible and official action will be taken against them, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Wildlife, Sidhant Das, said on Wednesday.

As per the new guidelines, the Divisional Forest Officers (DFO) would be held responsible for the outbreak of fire in the forest resulting in the large scale death of wild animal and loss of forest cover, he added.

He said fire squads are being deployed in the forest as well as Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite imagery will be used to find the source and location of fire in the forest.