Hyderabad: The forest department has mounted an extensive, technology-driven response that combines early warning systems, large-scale field deployment and preventive works.
With ₹35.5 crore earmarked, officials say the integrated strategy has already cut reported fire points by about 50% compared to last year, with monitoring and response now functioning round-the-clock from forest ranges to a central control cell.
"Fire management is being handled as a season-long operation. Prevention, detection and response are all being strengthened together, with field staff and local communities working in tandem," principal chief conservator of forests (head of forest force) C Suvarna said.
On the preventive front, the department maintained 21,739 km of fire lines and dug 11,000 km of peripheral trenches.
Surveillance infrastructure has been expanded with 73 watch towers erected at strategic vantage points. Firefighting equipment, including blowers, rakes, spades and fire beaters, has been supplied along with protective gear such as safety clothing, boots and helmets.
Two thermal drones procured in 2024-25 have been stationed at the Amrabad Tiger Reserve and Kawal Tiger Reserve to detect hotspots and track fires at an early stage.
A state fire monitoring and control cell now operates 24 hours, receiving complaints and alerts via helplines (1800 425 5364, 1926) and a dedicated WhatsApp number.
On the ground, 45 quick response teams with vehicles have been deployed in vulnerable ranges during peak months. The department is also using 174 base camp watcher units, each comprising five members, along with more than 200 animal trackers in wildlife areas.
Sudhakar Reddy Udumula is the Editor (Investigation) at the Times...
Read MoreSudhakar Reddy Udumula is the Editor (Investigation) at the Times of India, Hyderabad. Following the trail of migration and drought across the rustic landscape of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sudhakar reported extensively on government apathy, divisive politics, systemic gender discrimination, agrarian crisis and the will to survive great odds. His curiosity for peeking behind the curtain triumphed over the criminal agenda of many scamsters in the highest political and corporate circles, making way for breaking stories such as Panama Papers Scam, Telgi Stamp Paper Scam, and many others. His versatility in reporting extended to red corridors of left-wing extremism where the lives of security forces and the locals in Maoist-affected areas were key points of investigation. His knack for detail provided crucial evidence of involvement from overseas in terrorist bombings in Hyderabad.
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