Bushfires main causes of deforestation: AK Joshi
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 20 2023:
A consultation workshop on National Project on Forest Fire Management was organised jointly by Forest Department and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs at Hotel Classic, here, on Friday.
Speaking as chief guest of the event, principal chief conservator of forests PCCF) and head of forest force (HoFF), Manipur, Dr Aditya Kumar Joshi pointed out that deforestation is one of the most challenging issues at present and will continue to be so in the future.
Climate change is one of the interrelated issues, he stated, while adding that 'Forest Management and Forest Fire Management' will be taken up as one of the agendas in the upcoming G20 summit.
The PCCF continued that as forest sustainability is a complex issue, additional attention is being given to forest management.
Wildfires are part of forest management and assists in maintaining balance in the forests, including recycling of nutrients and protection of habitats of wildlife.
However, wildfires, which most of the time happen to be man-made, have become a contributing factor to deforestation.
This is a frequent occurrence in the north-eastern states including Manipur.
Nonetheless, the enthusiasm of the state's youth towards protecting the forests is worth applauding, he remarked.
Dr AK Joshi continued that most communities in the northeast region practice shifting cultivation, which is one of main causes of wildfires when done carelessly.
Last year, large parts of Dzuko Valley and Shirui hill range went up in flames and became a big issue.
The fire was eventually put out with the help of the central agencies, he reminded while stressing that the people need to make more effort for preventing wildfires in the state.
Further emphasising the importance of formulating a strategic action plan in addition to the existing action plan to combat all such issues, the PCCF stressed on the need of increasing manpower, utilisation of new technologies and encouraging the participation of the local communities in putting out wildfires.
Presided over by NDMA joint secretary Kunal Satyarthi, the workshop was attended by additional PCCF N Sonzalian and NDMA lead consultant & Tripura Forest Department ex-PCCF Dr DK Sharma as guests of honour.
Officials of Forest department, Fire Service, SDMA, SDRF, NDRF and staff of Forest departments of other North-eastern states also present during the workshop.
As part of the workshop, a session on 'Best Practices in Forest Fire Management: Innovation, Community Involvement and Livelihood' and 'Forest Fire Management: Early Warning, Response and Research & Training' was conducted.