To prevent forest fires, encroachments, hunting and illegal felling of trees, the UT Department of Forest and Wildlife has decided to deploy Forest Protection Watchers in the forest areas of the city.
According to officials, during the summer season, even the slightest negligence can lead to forest fires. Recently, a major fire broke out in the Kasauli forest area. To prevent such incidents in Chandigarh, the department has decided to appoint Forest Protection Watchers to monitor the forests and alert the administration before such incidents occur. The department has put all its staff on alert so that they can immediately report any such incidents and take immediate action.
The department has also decided to engage the services of Forest Protection Watchers to protect the forest area of Hallomajra Beat, which falls under the Nepli Range. Additionally, the work of creating fire lanes and other fire pits in the forests has been completed. During a visit to different forest areas in the city, it was noticed that several trees, which were uprooted in storms, were not yet removed by the department. According to officials, the trees, which got uprooted due to high velocity winds or had dried up, were allowed to decompose in a natural way in the forests only.
Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, covering approximately 26 sqkm, encompasses the forests of Nepli and Kansal. The forest areas fall in Daria, Hallomajra, Sector 25, Patiala Ki Rao catchment and Sukhna Lake surroundings.
The protection watchers will be hired through contractors. According to officials, people are being asked to enter Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary with caution.
Meanwhile, staff posted at the entry points to the Nepli and Kansal forests have been instructed to inform visitors at the gate not to bring any fire-related materials into the forest, and that smoking is strictly prohibited. Anyone found violating the directions will face legal action.
The Forest Protection Watchers will be deployed in the forest areas of the Industrial Area, Phase I; Daria village, Hallomajra nursery, Amrit Van, Raipur Khurd etc.
