Gairsain: On the second day of the budget session in Gairsain, the state government discussed its preparations to prevent forest fires.
Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal informed the Assembly that the government has purchased large quantities of pine needles (Pirul) from villagers to prevent forest fires in chir pine forests.
According to the minister, in 2025 the government purchased 5,532 tonnes of pine needles from villagers, worth approximately ₹5.42 crore. The government has now increased the target for pine needle collection to 8,555 tonnes to further reduce incidents of forest fires.
Awareness Campaigns to Prevent Forest Fires
The minister said that on the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a large-scale awareness campaign has also been launched to prevent forest fires. So far, 1,239 awareness camps have been organized.
Village-Level Committees Formed
Forest Fire Management Committees have been formed under the chairmanship of village heads to help prevent forest fires. These committees are working in coordination with the forest department to protect forests.
Each Gram Panchayat has been provided an incentive amount of ₹30,000 for this purpose.
Insurance Cover for Fire Watchers
The government has also introduced a new initiative for fire watchers, who play a crucial role in controlling forest fires. Fire watchers will now receive a group insurance cover of ₹10 lakh.
Last year, nearly 5,600 fire watchers played an important role in preventing forest fires across the state.
Budget Provision for UPNL Workers
The government has also made a significant decision for former UPNL employees. Chief Minister Dhami has allocated ₹289.98 crore in the budget to implement the principle of equal pay for equal work.
