The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), hosted a brainstorming workshop titled “Forest Fire and Its Challenges” here.
The one-day multi-stakeholder consultative event held on Thursday, highlighted India’s vulnerability to disasters, particularly forest fires, which have surged due to climate change, rising temperatures, and urbanization, an official statement said.
Recent devastating incidents, including fires in Simlipal National Park, Odisha, and various regions in Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, underscored the urgency of the issue.
The importance of developing effective early warning systems, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering community participation was emphasized, with a call for a community-centric approach to enable local populations to take proactive roles in fire management.
In his inaugural address, Rajendra Singh, Member and HoD, NDMA put forth a three-point strategy on forest fire management focusing on timely prevention, preparedness, and community involvement.
Meanwhile, Rajesh S, IG (Forest Protection Division), MoEF&CC discussed the good practices in forest management being implemented across the country, noting that while forest fires are a natural part of the ecosystem, the challenge arises when they become uncontrollable.
Delivering the keynote address, Krishna S Vatsa, Member, NDMA stressed on the need to prepare for disaster situations on a year-round basis considering the impacts of the climate change and called for preparedness measures by states well in time.
Participants engaged in four technical sessions focused on experience sharing organized during the day-long event and shared valuable insights to guide policymakers in improving operational guidelines and coordination.
The workshop generated actionable insights and strategies for stakeholders, fostering collaboration and engagement among key agencies.
