No.519/2020-2021

Chief Secretary Pu Lalnunmawia Chuaungo today inaugurated the annual Fire Prevention Week at a small function organised at ATI Auditorium by Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department.

Speaking at the function, he said that despite interventions by successive governments to introduce settled cultivation, the traditional system of jhum cultivation is still practiced by a large section of agriculturists in the state. In view of this, observance of Fire Prevention Week and awareness on the matter is of utmost importance, he added. He lauded the efforts of social organizations like YMA and Village Councils for their commitment in working with government agencies towards fire prevention measures and activities. He mentioned that progress has been made on this front but more awareness is the need of the hour, he noted.

Pu Jitendra Kumar, IFS, PCCF (P&D) highlighted the diversity of the forest cover in the state and mentioned that out of the 16 forest types, Mizoram has 6 forest types. Pu Liandawla, IFS, Principal Secretary & PCCF his report touched upon various activities earmarked for this year’s Fire Prevention Week. He also reported that during last year Mizoram recorded 1300 cases of forest fires, out of which 210 were actually forest fires while the remaining 1090 cases were attributed to the slash and burn jhum cultivation.