Hyderabad: With temperatures soaring across Telangana, forest, environment, and endowments minister Konda Surekhaon Monday held a review meeting to assess the state’s preparedness for forest fire prevention and wildlife safety during the peak summer months. The minister sought detailed updates on the availability and use of fire-fighting equipment and enquired whether the state was equipped to handle large-scale fire outbreaks.She asked officials to identify districts with the highest number of forest fire incidents and stressed the need for systems to ensure wild animals are not affected by such events. Focusing on animal welfare during the scorching summer, the minister asked about water arrangements in forests and zoos. Officials reported that 2,168 water troughs were set up across forest regions, with water being replenished daily using tractor tankers. She directed officials to take extra care at major zoos such as Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad and Warangal Zoo Park. Emphasising the importance of hydration and nutrition for wildlife, the minister instructed staff to include water-rich fruits like cucumbers and watermelons in the animals’ diets. “No negligence will be tolerated when it comes to the well-being of wildlife during summer,” she said, calling for continuous monitoring and action to prevent and manage any fire-related incidents in the forests.
