NDRF’s Director General, Atul Karwal, has announced the training and deployment of the force’s inaugural forest fire-fighting team, comprising 150 responders. This initiative comes amidst efforts to bolster the force’s capabilities in combating forest fires, including seeking permission from the Union Home Ministry to further enhance their skills through training in foreign countries. Karwal highlighted that three teams, each consisting of 50 members, are presently stationed in various locations, with plans for a fourth reserve unit currently underway.
Acknowledging the global threat posed by forest fires, a parliamentary panel had urged the inclusion of forest fire management within NDRF’s mandate. The devastating impact of forest fires on biodiversity, climate change, and tribal livelihoods underscored the urgency of this recommendation. Recent incidents in Dzukou Valley, Nagaland, and other regions have underscored the need for swift and effective response mechanisms.
Forest Survey of India reports reveal that forest fires are a recurrent occurrence, with millions of incidents recorded annually. These fires not only lead to significant loss of forest resources but also disrupt the flow of goods and services from forests. With over half of India’s forests exposed to occasional fires, the need for a highly trained disaster response force like NDRF is paramount in mitigating these threats and safeguarding natural ecosystems.
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