NDRF to begin maiden forest fire tackling training for personnel

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has decided to start a first-ever comprehensive forest fires controlling and combat training for its personnel to mitigate the loss that takes place due to the disaster which is both man-made and natural.

The force "will play an active role" in this disaster combat discipline and three of its teams will begin their training from February 6, NDRF director general (DG) Atul Karwal said at an event held here to mark the 18th Raising Day of the federal contingency force.

A parliamentary panel had last year expressed concern over forest fires not being officially part of disasters tackled by the specialised force. "Forest fires are a growing threat globally now. The incidents of forest fires not only damage the forest resources but also damage biodiversity. "