POONCH: Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal chaired a meeting today to review the district's preparedness for Forest fire control and management.

The meeting was attended by functionaries of Forest Department, Disaster Management, Fire & Emergency Services and representatives from other stakeholder departments.

Discussions focused on current preparedness, response mechanisms and long-term mitigation strategies. The DFO Territorial briefed the meeting on the prevention and control measures already in place. It was informed that 17 Forest Fire Control Rooms, comprising officials from Forest Territorial and other departments, have been established across the district to ensure swift response. Detection of forest fires is being assisted through real time SMS alerts from the Forest Survey of India's Fire Alert System.

Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal stressed on round the clock functioning of the Forest Fire Control Rooms to facilitate immediate intervention. He emphasized that timely action, coordinated efforts and active community involvement are crucial to minimizing damage to forests, biodiversity and public safety.

All departments were instructed to work in close coordination to ensure effective control measures and minimize potential losses due to forest fires.