Dhadha panchayat in H’bag takes step for community mobilisation

Chatra: While fires have already started to singe forests in different parts of the state including Hazaribag district giving tough time to the forest department, residents of Dhadha panchayat in Ichak block here have adopted a unique way to motivate people to curb the menace.Following a panchayat meeting, the villagers have unanimously announced to reward Rs 1,000 to those who will constantly keep vigil and give information with proper evidence to anyone who are responsible for forest fires.In forested regions, burning of dry leaves around mahua trees to collect its flowers are one of the primary reasons behind forest fires. The forest department conducts awareness sessions against the practice from time to time, but the impact is still to bring a significant change.A social worker of Dhadha panchayat, Dayanand Kumar who was also part of the recent meeting, said, "We are trying to build a people's movement here to prevent forest fires due to man-made reasons. Hence, the panchayat along with forest department has decided to reward people who will give information about culprits setting fire in forest. This move will also motivate people to stay vigilant around their surroundings, which will act as a premptive." Local villagers of Dhadha said that other panchayats are now planning to follow suit. Kumar said, "This is a small effort from us and we are hopeful that it will prove to be positive."The local department has appreciated the move. Assistant conservator of forest, A K Parmar said, "Unless the village community comes together, it is impossible to stop forest fires, mainly during mahua collection season. When a forest fire takes place, the seeds of the plant also burn due to which new plants fail to come up."