The Vazhachal-Athirappilly forest area witnessed a large forest fire last year which was doused with much difficulty, said Vazhachal Divisional Forest Officer S.V. Vinod while flagging off a fire awareness rally at Vazhachal.
But to make sure such fires do not occur this season, several steps are being taken over the past month, he said.
The Forest Department is conducting activities to increase awareness about accidental forest fires, he said. The department now organises around two forest fire awareness rallies every week in several locations in the area, where students from local schools participate.
“We have employed many more temporary fire watchers this season,” Mr. Vinod told The Hindu.
Fire Protection Committees (FPCs) have also been formed comprising members of local eco-development committees and vana samrakshana samitis.
“It is important that the message of preventing forest fires is spread so that no more forests are destroyed by fires,” said Sreehari Biju, a Class 8 student of M.A.M Higher Secondary School, Koratty, who took part in the rally on February 8.