People urged not to cook in the open to prevent fires

Dehradun, May 5

Engaged in firefighting operations, the state Forest Department today urgedpeople to help prevent forest fires by not cooking in the open and removing inflammable material dumped near their houses.

Issuing an appeal to this effect through the media, the department said it was making efforts to control forest fires in the state but requested the enlightened people of the state to make their own contribution to save the environment by preventing forest fires. Making six suggestions to people, the department asked them not to cook in the open and remove bushes, dry leaves, garbage and inflammable material dumped near their homes to prevent such situations.

The appeal also asked people not to let women, children and the elderly members of the family to areas where a forest fire has occurred. Forest fires have so far ravaged around 3,800 hectares of green cover besides killing nine people in the state. — PTI