Forest fires continue to wreak havoc in Odisha, with the state recording the highest number of large fire incidents in India, as per data from the Forest Survey of India (FSI). Around 642 large-scale fire incidents were reported in March 2023 alone. The rampant and escalating forest fires have caused profound damage to the flora and fauna in the region.
The magnitude of the problem becomes evident when the data is compared with previous records. Odisha has recorded a staggering 871 large forest fires since November 2022, setting a national record for the season. In the preceding year, 51,968 forest fire incidents occurred in the state, painting a gloomy picture of the escalating environmental crisis.
To put things into perspective, Odisha was followed by Andhra Pradesh with 754 incidents, Karnataka with 642, Telangana with 447 and Madhya Pradesh with 316. A dreaded illustration of the fire’s potency was the massive blaze that erupted in Similipal National Park, one of Asia’s major biospheres, located in the Mayurbhanj district.
Forest fires, also known as bush or vegetation fires or wildfires, refer to any uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion or burning of plants in natural settings such as forests, grasslands, brushlands or tundras. These fires consume the natural fuels and their spread is influenced by environmental conditions like wind and topography.
Celebrating the 54th CISF Raising Day
Every year on March 10, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) celebrates its Raising Day. The CISF, one of India’s seven Central Armed Police Forces, was established on this date under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It is responsible for providing security to public sector undertakings, airports, and other critical installations in the country.
The CISF was established under an act of the Parliament of India on March 10, 1969. Since its inception, it has played a pivotal role in safeguarding various vital installations across the country. However, in 2023, the date for celebration was revised to March 12.
Establishing Centers of Excellence under MIDH
For spurring progress in the field of horticulture, the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is taking initiatives to establish Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in various states. These centers are being set up through Bilateral Cooperation or Research Institutes. The primary role of these CoEs is to demonstrate and train individuals in the latest technologies related to horticulture.
Three CoEs that have gained approval recently include: CoE for Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) at Bengaluru, Karnataka; CoE for Mango and Vegetables at Jajpur, Odisha; and CoE for Vegetables and Flowers at Ponda, Goa. For the execution of developmental programs under MIDH, the Government contributes 60% of the total outlay for all states, except for Northeastern and Himalayan states where the contribution rises to 90%.
Historic Moment: First Woman to Lead Army Unit Near China Border
In a historic and groundbreaking move, Colonel Geeta Rana has become the first woman officer to command an independent unit in the sensitive Ladakh sector where India and China have been locked in a protracted border dispute.
Adding more milestones to the list, in January 2023, Captain Shiva Chouhan was deployed by the army at Siachen, the world’s highest and coldest battleground, marking her as the first woman officer stationed there. Moreover, the largest contingent of 27 women peacekeepers was deployed in Sudan’s disputed region of Abyei. They are performing security-related tasks in a challenging mission as part of the United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA).
These developments mark significant progress for women in the Indian military, initially triggered when the Indian Air Force (IAF) decided to induct women into the fighter stream for the first time back in 2015. The upward trajectory of women’s representation in armed forces seems to be moving in the right direction.