Lowest-ever fire points in Odisha forests this year

Bhubaneswar: The state’s forests reported only 14 active fire points on Sunday, the lowest so far this year, with change in weather condition leading to overcast and rain though total fire points have crossed 15,000 since start of summer.

Last three days, only 400 fire points were reported, with 145 points on Saturday. Environmentalists have observed that if change in weather condition drags down the mercury through April, then fire points by month-end would be less than last year’s total 28,585 fire points.

Deputy conservator of forests Sunita Jee, overseeing the forest fires, said the last two quarters of March were almost dry, with mercury close to 40ºC.

“It couldn’t have had 15,000 total fire points in beginning of April if the last two quarters reported fewer incidences,” said Jee.

While the weather factor is an added one for a lull in forest fires, the forest department’s daily monitoring and proactive strategy have ensured that core areas of sanctuaries and reserves are not affected. Let alone core, the forest department has even asked the divisional forest officers of all divisions (irrespective of territorial or wildlife divisions) to be open about forest fire incidence and disseminate information regarding this without hiding, officials said.