Jan 2: A year after 12,000 acres of forests in Bandipur went up in smoke, the Karnataka Forest Department is gearing up for the summer even as the Forest Survey of India (FSI) has cautioned that 22.78 lakh acres (9,222 sq km) or about 20% of the green cover spread across three districts in the central part of the state is fire-prone.
The FSI studied forest fire incidents across the country between 2004-05 and 2017 before coming up with state-specific inputs.
According to the 13-year observation, Karnataka has 7,352 “fire points” or areas measuring 5 km X 5 km with frequent fire incidents.
Though the number is lower compared to states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha with over 20,000 points, the sheer spread of the fire-prone area itself is a challenge for the Karnataka Forest Department.
According to data, about three lakh acres (1,199.9 sq km) of forest area is very highly fire prone with 26 to 52 fire incidents in 13 years. This is followed by 7.6 lakh acres (3,067 sq km) of “highly fire prone” areas with an average of one to two incidents every year.
Almost all of the “red alert” areas are concentrated in Uttara Kannada, Chikkmagaluru, Shivamogga and Chamarajanagar districts. As temperature rises at the end of January, so does the risk of forest fires, requiring officials to be on vigil till the end of summer.
After an investigation into the Bandipur blaze revealed that faulty fire lines and poor supervision were the reason for the spread of the fire, the department has come up with a multi-pronged approach to prevent similar incidents this year.
“After the Bandipur incident, we have created a fire cell and a standard operating procedure (SOP) which everyone has to follow. Firstly, a fire management plan is prepared and approved by a competent authority.
The SOP has well defined firelines which have to be executed by December-end and burning must be completed by January 15,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Punati Sridhar told DH.
He said that to ensure its strict implementation, GPS readings of firelines are to be submitted for random verification.
“All the required equipment from fire jackets to shoes, gloves, backpack sprayers and tractors mounted with 2,000-5,000 litre tanks with high pressure pumps will be deployed at vantage points,” he said.
In addition, the department’s fire cell works in collaboration with the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (KSRSAC) to give fire alerts within half and hour of an area catching fire and detected by satellites.
“Earlier, the gap used to be four hours by when the fire would have spread beyond control. Now, with reduced time gap, it would be easier to control fire early,” he added.
Comments
If you read the History of Meelad un Nabie (Sallallaho Alaih-e-Wassalam) The biggest and the most grand Meelad was celebrated by Allah Ta'ala so from where it became bidat to rejoice on the birth day of Our Beloved Prophrt Sallallaho Alaih-e-Wasalam)? Be happy dont cry bidah like the shaitaan.
Kind words/Kind behavior is for non Muslims/Momins not for the Munafiqs who oppose Mouludunnabi and ask for the proof to celebrate the Moulood, for those Munafiqs Allah Subhan wa Ta'ala has used some words in Quran Surah Al Qalam Verse 13
When Allah Almighty has used those words we are following the Quran there is no harm in using those words for a Munafiq.
Mr. Sayed Kaleem, please use kind words on one another....this is what it is lacking in Muslims....they think superior to one another....if you can try to convince others with your comments with nice words.....try to be a good person first....
Surah Al Ma'idah Verse 114
Surah Al Duha Verse 11
Surah Al Fatha Verse 28
Surah Al Saf Verse 6
Surah Touba Verse 128
Surah Aal E Imaran Verse 164
Surah Al Yunus Verse 57/58
Surah Al Anbiya Verse 107
O Blind , when did you read the Quran? Are you Munafiqs? go back to Quran search for the above ayas
There is no aya in Quraan or any hadeeth which says date or celebrate prophet's birthday. People who dont read tafseer of Quraan do this kind of foolish things to show other religions dat we are not united. There is no one such incident where sahabas have celebrated Rasool's birthday.Guys please wake up & read Quraan wit Tasfeer & follow authentic Hadeeth...May Allah give Hidaya to these people who have taken wrong path by themselves
No Comments/Objection for any Muslim sponsoring cricket tournament and spending lacks of rupees with half naked women dancing on the stage, No question/Objection for the Muslim youths wearing uniform and playing cricket spending their time on the ground why you munafiqs have not questioned, No Objection/Comments on those Muslim college students protesting on the street and blocking the roads and damaging the Goverment Properties and blocking the the roads were many people are serious need to go to hospitals.
why only when the celebration is only for the Milad of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam.
the above question is for all the Munafiqs who object the Celebration of the Mouludunnabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Moulud or Milad is Prophet's (PBAUH) birthday, which is being celebrated every 3rd month 12th day of the Hijra year... but why moulanas asking people to celebrate it throughout the year....I did not get it....like if there is happiness or sadness or grief they ask people to celebrate birthday of prophet (PBAUH)...no clue....
When a cricket tournament is organized by a muslim sponsor in which half naked women dance on the stage those money spent is not questioned from this idiots, they have problem when a Milad rally is organised where people gather and send Salaath on the beloved Rasool of Allah.
This is very much clear that those who oppose the Milad rally are munafiqs.
Warafa'na Laka zikrak. Rahega yunhi unka charcha rahega, padey khaak ho jaye jaljaney waaley.
U people are blocking the road. Where many people who are serious may have to go to hospital.
We all love our beloved prophet. Don't trouble others during that day.
Many countries giving holiday NOT to celebrate on streets.
Giving zakat to poor is the best celebration.
Sure.. Miskeens will be wholeheartedly invited for my milad to enjoy free biryani..
EID Milad un nabi (SAW) Mubarak Ho for all Momin
FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO INSIST FOR CHARITY TO POOR PEOPLE RATHER THAN SPENDING FOR MILADUNNABI
PLEASE IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM IN YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY THAT ANY MARRIAGE FROM UR FAMILY WILL BE SIMPLE, AVOID MARRIAGE HALL, AVOID DECORATION, AVOID MEHENDI FUNCTION, AND DONT CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY OF UR KIDS, SPOUSE, BROTHER, SISTER ETC, DONT CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE ANNIVERSSARY.
INSTEAD DO CHARITY.
FIRST OF ALL EVALUATE YOURSELF AND DETACH FROM ALL THESE DEEDS, THEN COMMENT......
Mr. Salman, when is your milad????
Why don't our Muslim community use brain instead of following the Misguided ulema or grand fathers....
Biddath Mubarak to all Laddu's
Mr.Salman Bhai .u r absolutely right....
Mr. A, FYI, our community is supporting all poor people when it's required at any time and it's not limited to our festivals. Let's them enjoy their day, and don't spit venom...
Happy miladunnabi to fellow muslims...
Very unfortunate. ignorant community celebrating our beloved prophet's death day. which is Rabi Alawwal 12. In Lillahi wa inna ilahi raajioon. Ee qoum eppa sudarra?
What a moment... Jab tak hai jaan... Insha Allah jaroor manayenge eid e milad.. Thanks CD for the coverage n waiting for today's evening procession coverage.
Instead of spending huge money for uniforms , why cant you donate cloths to poor children in the remote area during the birthday of prophet mohammed ??? To whom you wants to show road rally?? why all this celeberations?? There is no birthday celeberations in Islam.
If you want to celeberate Milad, celeberate like Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha when charity is the important order from prophet these two days.
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