PM instructs officials to take steps to control wildfires

Prime Minister and Minister for Defense KP Sharma Oli has directed the concerned agencies to do their homework on the use of aeroplanes and helicopters to control wildfire, which is currently causing air pollution across the country. Addressing a meeting of the Ministry of Defense’s quarterly budget review and Ministry-level Development Problem Solving Committee held at PM’s residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday, Prime Minister Oli said the existing fire brigade and manpower would not be sufficient to control the fire on a large scale and in remote forest areas. “Homework should be done to bring in multi-purpose helicopters or aeroplanes, so that they can be used to control the fire and for other purposes as well,”

the Prime Minister said. He also directed the concerned bodies to start their work for an immediate solution to the problem by installing fire extinguishers in the existing aeroplanes or helicopters in the country. Stating that it was unusual to witness the fire at 700 places at the same time, the Prime Minister also warned that the air pollution caused by the fire would cause serious health problems.