KHONSA, Oct 27: Wangki Lowang, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, DoTCL and Mining, flagged off a 1,000-litre-capacity mini fire tender for Deomali Forest Division at the general ground, Deomali, in presence of Tana Bapu, ADC Deomali; Yalik Lowang, ZPM Namsang block; B Taba, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Deomali; public leaders; and heads from various departments.
Following the flag-off ceremony, forest personnel demonstrated the coordinated use of the mini vehicle and drone technology, showcasing their potential in forest-fire management, surveillance, and emergency response.
Addressing the gathering, Lowang highlighted his vision for the welfare of forests, wildlife, and local communities. He urged the Forest Department to make effective use of the equipment provided to mitigate human-elephant conflict, strengthen wildlife monitoring, and promote the conservation of forests and their ecosystems. He also emphasised the importance of leveraging modern technology to enhance forest protection and ensure the safety and well-being of communities living in and around forest areas.
The DFO stated that the mini fire tender would enhance the department’s preparedness and response capacity in tackling forest fires as well as community fire emergencies. Its compact size would facilitate access to colonies and residential areas with narrow roads, where larger fire tenders may face difficulties in reaching affected locations. He further highlighted the utility of the thermal-camera-equipped drone, provided to the department, in strengthening surveillance, mitigating human-elephant conflict, and supporting wildlife conservation efforts
The programme marked an important step towards strengthening the technological and operational capabilities of Deomali Forest Division in safeguarding forests, wildlife, and local communities. (DIPRO)