Hyderabad: State Forest, Environment and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha held a video conference with senior forest officials to review forest fire prevention efforts and wildlife protection measures across Telangana. The meeting was conducted from her chamber at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The Minister interacted with Chief Conservators of Forests (CCFs) from various zones and District Forest Officers (DFOs) from all districts, seeking details on the equipment currently in use for managing forest fires. She specifically asked whether the department was adequately equipped to tackle multiple large-scale fires occurring simultaneously.
Minister Surekha also asked which districts had reported the most fire incidents and what steps were being taken to ensure wild animals in those areas are not affected.
Officials from the State Wildlife Board briefed her on arrangements made during the summer to ensure availability of drinking water in forests and zoos. They informed her that 2,168 water troughs had been set up this season, and water is being regularly refilled using tractor-mounted tankers.
The Minister instructed that additional care be taken at Nehru Zoo Park and Warangal Zoo Park. She directed that no negligence be shown in the provision of water and food to wild animals during the summer months.
She recommended including water-rich fruits and foods—like cucumber and watermelon—as part of the animals’ summer diet.
Senior officials present at the meeting included PCCF (HoFF) Dr Suvarna, PCCF (Wildlife) Eela Singh Meru, PCCF (Schemes) Jawahar, OSD (Wildlife) Shankaran, and Nehru Zoo Park Director Sunil Heera Math.
