The Tamil Nadu Forest Department (in India) is pioneering new approaches to fighting forest fires in Coimbatore. It has recently acquired a range of advanced gadgets, including a drone and various items of protective equipment. These tools are designed to improve the effectiveness of forest fire response operations.
According to N Jayaraj, the district forest officer, the procurement includes a drone costing 7.5 lakh rupees and 43 various items of equipment. These include fire-resistant suits, safety goggles, specialised footwear and many other essential items of equipment. The drone, capable of carrying up to 10 kg, will play a crucial role in hard-to-reach areas, helping to extinguish fires and deliver supplies to staff on the ground.
Strategies for the prevention and response to forest fires
In addition to direct intervention equipment, the department has also placed an emphasis on personal protection. Fire suits, for example, are designed to protect personnel surrounded by flames. Lightweight and portable fire extinguisher balls offer a quick solution for bringing early-stage fires under control. With these innovations, the department hopes to significantly improve its ability to manage forest fires.
Additional support measures Measures have been taken to ensure the well-being of field staff. Around 30 customised rucksacks were purchased to enable teams to carry drinking water easily. These rucksacks are specially designed so that staff can drink without stopping, thus ensuring continuous hydration during fire-fighting operations.
The implementation of preventive strategies is also a key priority for the department. With the deployment of 30 fire lookouts and 106 staff members dedicated to preventing poaching and providing rapid response, the aim is to create firebreaks stretching 418 km to control the spread of fires. To date, 150 km have already been secured.
This initiative by the Coimbatore Forest Department marks a significant step towards more effective and proactive management of forest fires.