The Forest Training Institute (FTI), Wimberlygunj, has launched a five-day Forest Fire Management Training Programme aimed at equipping forest officers, frontline staff, and trainees with advanced skills to manage rising threats of forest fires across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The inaugural function was held at the FTI campus on October 6, with Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forest (Research and Working Plan)-cum-Chairperson of FTI, serving as the chief guest. Senior officers of the Department and Director of the Institute also attended the ceremony.
The training brings together in-service forest executive staff from various divisions, under-training Forester trainees, and faculty members of the institute. Through the programme, participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in handling forest fire situations.
In his address, Dr. Kannan underlined the increasing challenges posed by climate change and rising temperatures, which have heightened the vulnerability of island ecosystems to wildfires. He said forest fire management should not be viewed as merely operational but as a critical part of conserving fragile ecosystems and safeguarding biodiversity. “Strengthening the skills of our frontline staff is vital for ensuring the safety of forests and wildlife,” he noted, adding that preparedness, technology adoption, and active community involvement are central to effective prevention and control.
The week-long training is designed to be highly interactive, with participants engaging in hands-on field exercises, mock drills, and live demonstrations. Expert sessions will be conducted by specialists from the Forest Survey of India, National Remote Sensing Centre (Hyderabad), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Police Department, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Disaster Management Authority. The multi-agency involvement is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of fire dynamics, prevention strategies, and emergency response coordination.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, FTI Director Ajit V. John, SFS, highlighted the objectives of the training programme. He said the aim was to enhance technical knowledge, sharpen field-level skills, and build inter-agency collaboration to tackle forest fire incidents more effectively. He also emphasized the importance of regular training sessions to keep staff updated with evolving fire management practices and technologies.
Forest fire incidents in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, though relatively less frequent than in mainland India, pose a significant risk to the region’s dense forests and unique biodiversity. Rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, and human activities such as encroachment and resource extraction have increased the likelihood of fires. The administration has been strengthening its preparedness through early-warning systems, satellite monitoring, and on-ground capacity building.
This training programme at FTI is part of those wider efforts to build resilience. By focusing on real-life scenarios through mock drills and simulations, the sessions aim to ensure that frontline staff are not only able to respond quickly but also capable of mitigating risks before they escalate.
The programme also stresses the role of community engagement in fire prevention, recognizing that local villagers and forest dwellers often serve as the first line of defence in detecting and reporting fire outbreaks. Awareness drives, community watch groups, and early detection systems are increasingly being linked with official mechanisms to ensure timely action.
The inauguration concluded with a note of optimism that the five-day training will strengthen the capacity of officers and trainees to respond effectively to the growing forest fire challenge. Officials said the initiative reflects the Forest Department’s proactive approach in combining technology, training, and inter-agency cooperation to protect the islands’ fragile ecosystems.
The Forest Training Institute (FTI), Wimberlygunj, has launched a five-day Forest Fire Management Training Programme aimed at equipping forest officers, frontline staff, and trainees with advanced skills to manage rising threats of forest fires across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The inaugural function was held at the FTI campus on October 6, with Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forest (Research and Working Plan)-cum-Chairperson of FTI, serving as the chief guest. Senior officers of the Department and Director of the Institute also attended the ceremony.
The training brings together in-service forest executive staff from various divisions, under-training Forester trainees, and faculty members of the institute. Through the programme, participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in handling forest fire situations.
In his address, Dr. Kannan underlined the increasing challenges posed by climate change and rising temperatures, which have heightened the vulnerability of island ecosystems to wildfires. He said forest fire management should not be viewed as merely operational but as a critical part of conserving fragile ecosystems and safeguarding biodiversity. “Strengthening the skills of our frontline staff is vital for ensuring the safety of forests and wildlife,” he noted, adding that preparedness, technology adoption, and active community involvement are central to effective prevention and control.
The week-long training is designed to be highly interactive, with participants engaging in hands-on field exercises, mock drills, and live demonstrations. Expert sessions will be conducted by specialists from the Forest Survey of India, National Remote Sensing Centre (Hyderabad), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Police Department, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Disaster Management Authority. The multi-agency involvement is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of fire dynamics, prevention strategies, and emergency response coordination.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, FTI Director Ajit V. John, SFS, highlighted the objectives of the training programme. He said the aim was to enhance technical knowledge, sharpen field-level skills, and build inter-agency collaboration to tackle forest fire incidents more effectively. He also emphasized the importance of regular training sessions to keep staff updated with evolving fire management practices and technologies.
Forest fire incidents in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, though relatively less frequent than in mainland India, pose a significant risk to the region’s dense forests and unique biodiversity. Rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, and human activities such as encroachment and resource extraction have increased the likelihood of fires. The administration has been strengthening its preparedness through early-warning systems, satellite monitoring, and on-ground capacity building.
This training programme at FTI is part of those wider efforts to build resilience. By focusing on real-life scenarios through mock drills and simulations, the sessions aim to ensure that frontline staff are not only able to respond quickly but also capable of mitigating risks before they escalate.
The programme also stresses the role of community engagement in fire prevention, recognizing that local villagers and forest dwellers often serve as the first line of defence in detecting and reporting fire outbreaks. Awareness drives, community watch groups, and early detection systems are increasingly being linked with official mechanisms to ensure timely action.
The inauguration concluded with a note of optimism that the five-day training will strengthen the capacity of officers and trainees to respond effectively to the growing forest fire challenge. Officials said the initiative reflects the Forest Department’s proactive approach in combining technology, training, and inter-agency cooperation to protect the islands’ fragile ecosystems.
