399 Teams Deployed To Extinguish Forest Fires In Odisha: Minister Pradip Amat

Bhubaneswar: Amid forest fire rages on Devagiri mountain,  state Forest Minister Pradip Kumar Amat informed the Odisha Assembly today that as many as 399 teams have been deployed in the State to extinguish forest fires.

Replying to an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition on forest fires, Amat told the House that for dousing forest fires the State government has set up a special technical cell and constituted a task force.

He said that as per their recommendation, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to contain forest fire has been issued. Besides, action plans have been drawn up at the district level to contain forest fires.

He informed that the 339 teams deployed for extinguishing forest fires have been provided with vehicles, fire blowers and safety equipment. A control room is functioning 24×7, he added.

The Minister further informed that by March 13, out of the 22,786 forest fire points reported in the State 22,316 have been contained.

However, not satisfied with the Minister’s reply, Opposition BJP members staged a walkout.