News & Announcement
Coordination Meeting Held to Tackle Water Scarcity, Forest Fires and Avian Influenza in Pakyong
Pakyong, February 21 (IPR): District Collector, Pakyong, Mr Rohan Agawane, presided over a coordination meeting held today at the Conference Hall of the District Administrative Centre, Pakyong, to assess preparedness measures and enhance inter-departmental coordination aimed at preventing any crisis arising from emergency situations.
The meeting deliberated on preparedness and response measures related to water scarcity, prevention of forest fires, and outbreak of Avian Influenza in the district.
The meeting was attended by Additional District Collector, Pakyong, Mr Pulkit; ADC(Dev), Mr Sangay Gyatso Bhutia; SDM (Hq), Mr Thendup Lepcha; Heads of Offices from various departments under the district; Block Development Officers from various blocks, and representatives from NHIDCL, Bhavya Construction, Surya Infra Project, AK&JK Pvt Ltd and Nalanda Egicon Pvt Ltd.
In view of Avian Influenza (H5N1), Joint Director, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Dr Kinchokla Bhutia, briefed the gathering on its symptoms, modes of transmission, and cases detected in the State. Emphasising coordinated response, she highlighted the adoption of the ‘One Health’ approach and stressed the need for public awareness, including in schools, and prompt reporting of any unusual deaths or illness among migratory and farm poultry birds to safeguard public, animal, and ecosystem health.
While reviewing the preparedness, the DC directed the AH&VS Department to furnish details on the number of samples collected and report whether any positive cases had been detected. The department was further instructed to undertake regular surveillance, submit daily monitoring reports on the status of Avian Influenza, and place any logistical or resource requirements for necessary support.
On the prevention of forest fires, DFO (Territorial), Mr SP Bhutia, informed about the recent fire incidents reported in the State and briefed on the overall situation. He stated that many such incidents occur due to negligence, and emphasised that public sensitisation could help reduce occurrences. He further informed that trained personnel are available for fire-fighting operations.
In this context, the DC instructed the Block Development Officers to convene meetings with panchayat members and coordinate with the Forest Department to generate mass awareness among the public on preventive measures.
Further, SDM (Hq) directed the Education Department to sensitise students on forest fire prevention.
Additionally, the concerned departments were directed to undertake the construction of static water tanks and the installation of fire hydrants in fire-prone areas of the district. In this regard, RDD, Fire Department, and PHE Department were instructed to conduct spot verification and submit a report to the district administration.
Reviewing the water supply situation of the district, the DC sought an update from the PHE Department on the current status. The department informed that the district is experiencing water scarcity, with several local sources drying up due to the prolonged dry spell over the past few months. It was further informed that water wastage is occurring due to factors such as leakages, overflow from storage tanks, and vehicle washing.
In response, the DC directed the concerned department to undertake field inspections to identify leakage points and areas of misuse. He also sought details on measures being taken to prevent leakages and asked the concerned department to prepare a backup plan in the event of further decline in water sources.
Additionally, the department and BDOs were instructed to create public awareness on the judicious use of water in view of the prevailing scarcity.
The meeting deliberated on preparedness and response measures related to water scarcity, prevention of forest fires, and outbreak of Avian Influenza in the district.
The meeting was attended by Additional District Collector, Pakyong, Mr Pulkit; ADC(Dev), Mr Sangay Gyatso Bhutia; SDM (Hq), Mr Thendup Lepcha; Heads of Offices from various departments under the district; Block Development Officers from various blocks, and representatives from NHIDCL, Bhavya Construction, Surya Infra Project, AK&JK Pvt Ltd and Nalanda Egicon Pvt Ltd.
In view of Avian Influenza (H5N1), Joint Director, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Dr Kinchokla Bhutia, briefed the gathering on its symptoms, modes of transmission, and cases detected in the State. Emphasising coordinated response, she highlighted the adoption of the ‘One Health’ approach and stressed the need for public awareness, including in schools, and prompt reporting of any unusual deaths or illness among migratory and farm poultry birds to safeguard public, animal, and ecosystem health.
While reviewing the preparedness, the DC directed the AH&VS Department to furnish details on the number of samples collected and report whether any positive cases had been detected. The department was further instructed to undertake regular surveillance, submit daily monitoring reports on the status of Avian Influenza, and place any logistical or resource requirements for necessary support.
On the prevention of forest fires, DFO (Territorial), Mr SP Bhutia, informed about the recent fire incidents reported in the State and briefed on the overall situation. He stated that many such incidents occur due to negligence, and emphasised that public sensitisation could help reduce occurrences. He further informed that trained personnel are available for fire-fighting operations.
In this context, the DC instructed the Block Development Officers to convene meetings with panchayat members and coordinate with the Forest Department to generate mass awareness among the public on preventive measures.
Further, SDM (Hq) directed the Education Department to sensitise students on forest fire prevention.
Additionally, the concerned departments were directed to undertake the construction of static water tanks and the installation of fire hydrants in fire-prone areas of the district. In this regard, RDD, Fire Department, and PHE Department were instructed to conduct spot verification and submit a report to the district administration.
Reviewing the water supply situation of the district, the DC sought an update from the PHE Department on the current status. The department informed that the district is experiencing water scarcity, with several local sources drying up due to the prolonged dry spell over the past few months. It was further informed that water wastage is occurring due to factors such as leakages, overflow from storage tanks, and vehicle washing.
In response, the DC directed the concerned department to undertake field inspections to identify leakage points and areas of misuse. He also sought details on measures being taken to prevent leakages and asked the concerned department to prepare a backup plan in the event of further decline in water sources.
Additionally, the department and BDOs were instructed to create public awareness on the judicious use of water in view of the prevailing scarcity.
