RAIPUR: Now we will extinguish forest fires…this is what women belonging to Jai Maa Sharda Women’s Self-help Group under the Beltara Circle, clad in green sarees as a symbol of greenery, are saying while protecting the forests from fires. These women understand the significance of forests and therefore have come forward to save forests. They are providing their free contribution while working alongside forest workers.
It is noteworthy that protecting forests from fires is of crucial importance. According to the Forest Department, the fire season started on 15 February and it is the department’s priority to protect the forests from fires. In this regard, the Forest Department is also conducting an awareness campaign to save the forests from fire. Influenced by the awareness campaign, the women belonging to Jai Maa Sharda Women’s Group under Bilaspur came forward voluntarily and presented their proposal before the Forest Department to save forests from fire.
Because of the enthusiasm and awareness amongst women, the Divisional Forest Officer of Bilaspur Mr. Kumar Nishant has instructed his subordinate forest officers that women who have come forward should be trained to extinguish forest fires and should be encouraged to take up this special initiative, The Forest Department, as a symbol of greenery, has provided them a uniform of green sarees, and have been trained to use fire blower machines to control forest fires. The village women are engaged in the work of protecting forests from fire free of cost. In this work, forest workers are also working alongside the women.
Bilaspur is the first Forest Department in Chhattisgarh that is conducting a unique initiative to protect its forest’s natural regeneration, herbs, precious wood, fruits, and flowers. Signifying the maxim of ‘Forest is life’, these women have understood that they use herbs, fruits, and flowers for themselves, which provide them an extra income and these forests are their precious heritage. We must protect forests while keeping in mind future generations. All these women, in view of these sentiments, right after receiving the news of forest fires, immediately head to forests with forest workers to extinguish the forest fire. The women who have taken this responsibility include Ramshila Bai Sorthe, Anarkali Ayam, Sonam Bai, Sat Kumari Maravi, Uma Mahant, Janki Bai, and others.
