The move has been taken as a part of the Forest Fire Awareness Week being celebrated by the department. The awareness programme will last from February 1 to 7, and according to officials, this is the first time the department has decided to join hands with the locals to fight such problems, a routine affair during summer months.

Talking about the programme, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) B K Patnaik said that without involving the communities living in villages near the forest areas, it is difficult to manage forest fires.

“Nine per cent of the forest cover in UP is very sensitive to forest fires. The areas comprising the wildlife reserves, sanctuaries and conserved wetlands are also prone to fires in summers. These fires not only damage the forest cover, but also the agricultural land nearby. The losses are incurred by people living in nearby areas too.”

Patnaik said often it becomes difficult for the department to ensure that the fire is put off at the earliest. “We are not equipped enough to fight forest fires, and any local help in these areas is also not an easy task,” said Patnaik. He added that by involving local communities, the department will not only ensure quick response during a fire, but will also create awareness among the people to avoid such accidents.

The department has instructed all the Divisional Forest Officers (DFO) to organise mass awareness campaigns and impart training related to forest fires in their divisions.