Reliance joins hands with Odisha government to tackle this menace

As Odisha steps up its efforts to combat the surge in wildfires this season, Reliance Foundation has partnered with the state Forest Department, Vana Suraksha Samities (VSS), and a range of other stakeholders to support the government's initiatives to address the crisis.

Partnerships for Wildfire Mitigation

The Reliance Foundation has allied with the state’s Forest, Environment, and Climate Change department, along with community cadres, VSS groups, and non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners, to enhance awareness and build local capacity for the prevention and effective management of wildfire incidents within forested regions.

Awareness Campaign from World Wildlife Day to World Environment Day

Launching a three-month awareness drive from World Wildlife Day on March 8, Reliance Foundation will carry forward its activities through to World Environment Day on June 5. The campaign is aimed at sensitising communities to wildfire risks and equipping them with the knowledge to respond effectively.

Community Engagement and Field Activities

In collaboration with the Forest department and associated NGOs, Reliance Foundation is also mobilising community cadres through on-ground activities. It is conducting a series of multi-location audio conferences dedicated to forest fire mitigation, with an emphasis on areas most prone to wildfire outbreaks. These sessions focus on various aspects of preparedness, response, and mitigation strategies essential for forest fire management.

Vernacular Advisories for Broader Reach

Moreover, advisories crafted in vernacular languages are being circulated across the districts of Rayagada, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi to ensure that critical information reaches local communities effectively, officials from the Foundation confirmed.

Wildfires Threaten Odisha’s Medicinal Plant Heritage

In the lush forests of Odisha, however, a silent tragedy is unfolding as devastating wildfires continue to ravage jungles across the state, leaving behind trails of destruction. Beyond the widespread loss of wildlife and trees, the fires have placed valuable medicinal plants, vital to traditional healing practices, on the brink of extinction. Several of these plants, known for treating ailments ranging from digestive issues to mental health disorders, are being wiped out each fire season, endangering biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities.

Fierce Blaze in Aska, Ganjam District

Recently, a fierce forest fire erupted in the hills of Aska, Ganjam district, severely threatening unique medicinal and indigenous vegetation across two critical hill zones. The inferno has devastated extensive tracts of valuable plant life.

Scale of the Crisis

According to figures provided by the forest department, more than 19,000 fire points have been identified within forest boundaries of Odisha between January 1 and April 25 during the current forest fire season.