Tiruvannamalai steps up forest fire preparedness

With the onset of summer approaching, a Tiruvannamalai district-level review meeting on forest fire prevention measures was held here on Monday to strengthen preparedness and inter-departmental coordination.
The meeting was chaired by Tiruvannamalai District Collector K. Tharpbagaraj at the People’s Grievance Redressal Hall in the District Collector’s Office, with senior officials and stakeholders participating on behalf of the Forest Department.
Officials from the Forest, Police, Revenue, and Fire and Rescue Services departments discussed precautionary measures and coordinated strategies to prevent forest fires.
It was noted that forests cover about 23 per cent of Tiruvannamalai district, spanning nearly 1.43 lakh hectares, and that while fires occur due to natural and artificial causes, nearly 98 per cent are attributed to human activities.
The District Collector warned that strict legal action would be taken against those encroaching on forest land or engaging in illegal activities. He pointed out that more than 300 villages are located along forest fringes and that forest fires pose a serious threat to livelihoods as well as to rare and valuable tree species. He directed all departments to ensure continuous monitoring in areas with a history of forest fires and said a monitoring committee comprising forest guards and local residents has been formed to detect fires early and report incidents immediately. The Collector also advised farmers not to burn dry agricultural residues in fields adjoining forest areas and stressed the need to create awareness among forest-dwelling communities.
He instructed officials to strengthen preventive measures, including the creation of fire lines and ensuring firefighting equipment is kept ready.
District Revenue Officer R. Rampradeepan, District Forest Officer Sudhakar, Assistant Collector (Training) Amrutha S. Kumar, Revenue Divisional Officer Rajkumar, tahsildars, forest officials, and officers from various departments were present at the meeting.