Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 10
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday informed the state assembly that no person as the culprit of such incidents has been identified or apprehended so far with regard to the forest fire incidents at Dzükou Valley.
Replying to starred question raised by MLA Naiba Konyak on fire incident at Dzükou valley and preventive measure from 2023 till date, the CM stated that the causes of forest fire incidents at Dzükou Valley from 2023 till date are “reportedly mainly due to human errors or carelessness.”
The CM provided an update on the expenditures related to firefighting operations. He informed the House that the bills for the most recent deployment of Indian Air Force helicopters to douse the flames are yet to be received by the department.
Dr Rio said the department has undertaken measures to prevent forest fires at Dzükou Valley. These include training programme for community volunteers from Western and Southern Angami areas, conducted in collaboration with Angami Youth Organization at Khonoma from March 3 to 9, 2025.
He added that the department will also take up establishment of Watch Towers (improved early detection of fires in high-risk zones), Procurement of Firefighting Equipment (beaters, drones, water backpacks), Fireline Creation & Maintenance, Training of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), Early Warning Systems (SMS alerts, sirens), Drone Surveillance Deployment (100% monitoring of inaccessible zones).
