THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024
Team Herald
To safeguard wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas in Goa, the Forest
Department is set to acquire 8 to 10 drones equipped with cutting-edge
technology for real-time monitoring. This initiative aims to tackle wildfires,
forest violations, and enhance overall surveillance in the region. The decision
comes in the wake of last year's devastating wildfire that razed 76.5 hectares of
precious forest land.
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane revealed that the department will deploy
these drones as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat forest fires and
closely monitor the state's ecological reserves.
Additionally, the Forest Department is in talks with the Forest Survey of
India (FSI) to access their Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service
(WFS), enabling near real-time monitoring of forest fires. This collaboration
will significantly enhance their ability to detect and respond promptly to fire
outbreaks.
Highlighting the importance of human intervention, Minister Rane emphasized
the retraining of 600 trekkers previously trained by the department. These
individuals will receive refresher training before December 31 to aid in
emergencies such as wildfires, demonstrating the department's commitment to
proactive measures.
Moreover, the Forest Department plans to expand the number of 'Aapda Mitras
& Sakhis,' presently at 350, further fortifying their emergency response
team. Minister Rane stressed the creation of firelines as a preventive measure
against the spread of fires in vulnerable areas.
In a stern warning, Minister Rane cautioned against those setting
forest areas on fire for clearing of areas, without taking due precautions.
Collectors will be asked to issue notices in this regards, he added.
