March 10, Kohima: Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of NSDMA, Neiphiu Rio, today informed the State Assembly that incidents of forest fires in the Dzukou Valley since 2023 were primarily caused by human error or negligence.
He stated that no individual responsible for these incidents has been identified or apprehended so far.
Responding to a question during the 8th Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, he highlighted that the State Home Department was taking various measures to prevent forest fires in the Dzukou valley.
Mr. Rio stated that community volunteers from the Western and Southern Angami areas have been trained in collaboration with the Angami Youth Organization since 2025.
He added that the Home Department will also be setting up watch towers, procuring firefighting equipment such as beaters, drones, water backpacks, creating firebreaks, and training rapid response teams, as well as setting up early warning systems such as SMS alerts, sirens, and drone surveillance deployment.
Regarding the total expenditure incurred on hiring Army helicopters to extinguish forest fires from 2023 to date, the Chief Minister stated that the bills for the most recent hiring of IAF helicopters have not yet been received.