DM warn action against man-made forest fires.Seek help from people.

GNS ONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD
RAJOURI, MAY 02:–District Magistrate (DM) Rajouri, Vikas Kundal has sought help from the general public, members of Panchayats , NGOs, students, members of Civil Administration ( residing in the territorial jurisdiction of Nowshera/Sunderbani & Rajouri forest divisions) to help the Forest department in preventing /controlling the forest fires.
The DM in an advisory issued on Monday has also warned action, under section 26 of the Indian Forest Act, against those who deliberately throw either inflammable material inside the forest or burn their agricultural produce in the close vicinity of the forest resulting in the forest fire.
Under section 26 of the Indian Forest Act, setting up of forest fire (man-made) is a punishable offence and the accused will get two years of imprisonment or imprisonment with a fine that may extend to Rs 25000/-
In an advisory, DM, Vikas Kundal has appealed to the people to inform the Forest Department officers/ officials and staff immediately in case of any forest fire incident.
The District Administration has established a Master Control Room (9419190618 & 7006525350) so that the message of any forest fire can be flashed.
The Administration has also advised the people to contact District Forest Officer (7780953225); Range Officer Sunderbani (9419613844 & 9086112833); Range Officer Nowshera/Lamberi (9419197398 & 9797696465), and Range Officer Rajouri (9906048752) for any incident of a forest fire.
On Sunday Deputy Commissioner (also DM), Vikas Kundal, along with DFO Rajouri Dr. Arshdeep Singh, visited village Swani and adjoining areas to check the ground situation of the incidents of the forest fire.
He also attended a mock fire fighting drill jointly organised by the Forest Protection Force and Fire and Emergency Department.
With temperatures hovering above normal and deficit rainfall, Rajouri & Nowshera Forest Divisions are facing dry weather and that has triggered many forest fires during the last about 10 Days.
Spring seasons are usually wet but locals under Rajouri & Nowshera divisions are spotting forest fires on a regular basis.
A significant deficit in rainfall has resulted in dryness and grasses are more prone to dryness and vulnerable to catching fire.