IMPHAL, December 22: A one day awareness programme on the prevention and control of forest fire was conducted today at the community hall of Pantilong Village, Imphal East district.
The programme was organised by the Range Forest Officer, Sadar East Range, Chingmeirong.
Addressing the awareness programme, Conservator of Forest, Central Circle, Th Mahendra Pratap Singh said forest fire could be resulted from several causes and every year several forest fires are caused by lightning and human activities.
The awareness programme was also attended by village chairman Gaidi Ramgmei.
Major human related causes of forest fires which could result in catastrophic consequences include unattended or out-of-control campfires, discarded burning cigarette, arson, or explosions, Mahendra Pratap Singh said.
He further urged the village authority to stay on guard for any activities which could ignite a forest fire in their nearby hill ranges.
DFO L Joykumar stressed upon the need to encourage active participation of the villagers in curbing the forest fire menace which had on several occasions resulted to destruction of life, property, etc.
He urged the villagers to take up precautionary steps like preventing big fires in residential areas which could spread to the nearby forest and further.
Range Officer, Homae added that forest fires in the State used during hunting practices by burning down the forest cover to hunt the escaping animals.
He said sometimes the forest cover is also burned down to collect charcoal and for jhum cultivation.
Meanwhile, a special task team was constituted by the department to prevent forest fires and to assist in controlling forest fires.