Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2012-10-03

Expeditious solution for prevention of occurrence of Forest Fires

- Cabinet considered the recommendations of the Officials' Committee appointed for the purpose and approval was granted to implement the following recommendations of the Committee:

* identification and mapping of fire prone areas in each District and preparation of Fire Management Plans for such areas;

* supply of required resources, through the respective District Secretaries, to the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation to ensure effective fire control programmes;

* to advise the law enforcement authorities (Police and Armed Forces) to be vigilant, specially during the dry season, in order to apprehend those responsible for initiating forest fires; and

* conduct training and awareness programmes on fire management for communities and relevant stakeholders in the areas,