Dehradun: The Forest Department will prepare seven new Pirul briquettes units in the state before the upcoming forest fire season. This will help in preventing forest fires through Pirul collection. Here, on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Forest Department has prepared a five-year plan for forest fire prevention and sent it to the Central Government for approval.
The main reason for forest fires in the state is the abundance of pine forests in the forests. About 15.25 percent of the forested area under the control of the Forest Department is pine forest. Therefore, the Forest Department is collecting pine pirul and using it to make pallets and briquettes. For this, the help of self-help groups is being taken. Currently, the department pays these groups Rs 3 per quintal for collecting pine, which is being prepared to be increased as per the Chief Minister’s announcement. Last year, the department collected 38299.48 quintals of pine … With the construction of new briquettes units at seven places in the state, villagers will get employment, as well as there will be an effective reduction in forest fires caused by Pirul. Along with this, a five-year action plan has been prepared and sent to the Government of India for forest fire prevention.
Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister
Highlights
15 percent of the forest cover area has pine forests
There are currently briquettes units at 05 places
05-year action plan sent to the Government of India
1.13 crore rupees were given to self-help groups last year for depositing Pirul
