Div Com for proactive measure to deal with forest fires

• Asks officials to draft SOP for fighting forest fires

SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr. Asgar Samoon Monday called for proactive measures in dealing with the forest fires and asked the officials to draft a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) while dealing with the fires. The Divisional Commissioner said this in a meeting convened to deliberate upon the issue of forest fires and measures being taken to prevent them. The meeting was attended by Regional Wildlife Warden, Conservator Forests (South) and DFO Forest Division Lidder besides DC Pulwama and Police officials.

During the meeting officials felt the need to develop coordination between various departments for dealing with the fires.  Dr Asgar Samoon stressed on establishing joint control room at district level for timely preventive measures and coordination at the time of fires. The Divisional Commissioner asked the officials to draft an SOP within two days and submit the same for further action. He further stated that there should be a committee at district and division level headed by DCs which shall meet once in three months to review the arrangements for dealing with fires.

While expressing satisfaction over plantation drive, he said the drive will not only increase the forest cover but compensate the loss to forests due to fires. During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner also directed the officials to create nurseries of rare and endangered forest species.