The Jharkhand Forest Department is set to launch a new initiative to bring forest fire incidents down to zero. Under the campaign, around 28,000 villagers have been connected as “Fire Warriors” through a WhatsApp group. The department plans to expand this network to 50,000 people.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjeev Kumar said the strategy this year focuses on community participation. Villagers will be trained in fire prevention and response, and some will be developed as master trainers.
Forest areas remain vulnerable to fires from February until the monsoon. Special vigilance will be maintained during this period. The Forest Department will work in coordination with the Government of India, the Disaster Management Department and local communities.
Awareness meetings are being held in schools, and public representatives are being included in the campaign. Officials have been directed to prepare district-level action plans and maintain direct contact with villagers. A review meeting with regional and divisional forest officers was held on Tuesday.
Street plays and student-led prabhat pheris will be organized to spread awareness. Drones and satellite-based alert systems will be used for early detection. Control rooms will function round the clock at district and range levels, and a toll-free number will be issued.
Fire lines 10 to 20 metres wide will be reactivated in forest areas to prevent the spread of flames.
Forest fire incidents in the state have increased by around 16 per cent in recent years, with March and April being the most critical months. Forests in West Singhbhum are the worst affected. Between 2001 and 2025, more than 10 per cent of trees in the state have been damaged due to fires.
Also read: Freight train mows elephant calf, rail traffic hit in Jharkhand
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