Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli: “We are now watching our forests with UAV. In this way, the images taken from the field will be shared live with the fire management center and there will be an opportunity for more effective and faster response to fires. The UAV flies 24 hours a day, day and night, observing 23 million hectares of forest area from its point of 3,5 thousand feets, fulfilling the task of our 361 fire watchtowers. ”
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli participated in the press conference of the fire plane promotion held at the Adnan Menderes Airport Military Flights Department within the framework of its program in Izmir.
2 with 1 new aircraft unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Minister Pakdemirli Speaking at the presentation, recalling a greener Turkey announced that they started out with three goals forestry support given to the neighboring countries on the continent.
Saying that they are working to protect forests from fires while increasing forest presence, Pakdemirli stated that citizens went to forest areas to breathe with the arrival of summer and warned that they should be careful and sensitive. Explaining that the organizations are vigilant for the increasing visitors, Minister Pakdemirli commemorated the forest officers who sacrificed their lives at the beginning of their duties to protect the forests.
“We plant 10 saplings in place of every tree that burns”
Pointing out the importance of wildlife and biological diversity burning in forest fires, Pakdemirli said, “Not only the tree that burns after forest fires, but also a system of wildlife and biological diversity in the present ecosystem is disappearing. We plant 10 seedlings in place of each burning tree. However, wildlife and biodiversity, the ecosystem, takes many years to recover. ”
Expressing that they have done 57 times of the afforestation carried out in 1.5 years as a ministry, the last 18 years, Pakdemirli noted that they have afforested 40 times the area of the burning forests. Explaining that an average of 2002 million saplings were produced annually before 75, 18 million saplings were produced annually before 350, Minister Pakdemirli continued as follows:
“While 2002 out of 4 of our country's surface area was forests before 1, today we delivered one third of our surface area to the forest area. In other words, we increased our forest assets by 3 million hectares in 1 years. And thank you, we have brought the forest area of 18 times the size of Cyprus Island to our country and nation. As a country, we are in the Mediterranean belt. Due to this position, we are in a region with a high risk of forest fire. Forest fires are a natural disaster. We take all necessary measures to avoid this natural disaster. However; We make our preparations to respond quickly and effectively in case of fire. We are fighting on embers in summer and on ice in winter. ”
“THERE ARE 11 THOUSAND 500 FIRE VOLUNTEERS”
The Minister explained that Pakdemirli largest fire extinguished just two days in Turkey in 2019, 2 million of the 22.7 million hectares of forest assets located in the region, he said that very sensitive to the risk of fires and 12.5 percent. Pointing out that the strategy has 55 important pillars in combating forest fires, Minister Pakdemirli drew attention to the importance of prevention, extinguishing and finally rehabilitation. Explaining that they have a qualified manpower in the fight against forest fires, Pakdemirli said, "We expect 3 fire workers, 10 thousand technical staff, 500 thousand officers, 3 fire volunteers at all times."
WE ARE OUR FORESTS NOW WITH UAV
Stating that there is a strong land vehicle power in the fight against forest fires, Minister Pakdemirli continued as follows:
“It consists of 1072 plots, 281 water supply vehicles, 586 first response vehicles, 185 dozers and 473 other vehicles. Of course, we must dominate the field not only from the land but also from the air. We produce innovative solutions that integrate technology with the field. Fighting against forest fires is our air vehicle power; It consists of 2 amphibious aircraft, 1 management aircraft, 27 water-launch helicopters, 6 administrative helicopters, 1 UAV. Our airborne intervention strategy for combating forest fires has been planned with helicopters due to the geographical conditions of our country since the 90s. Thanks to the frequent water resources of helicopters, more efficient operation is provided. For now, we are using every technology except spacecraft. We are now watching our forests with UAV. In this way, the images taken from the field will be shared live with the fire management center and there will be an opportunity for more effective and faster response to fires. UAV flies 24 hours a day, day and night, observing 23 million hectares of forest area from its point of 3.5 thousand feet, and fulfilling the task of our 361 fire watchtower. This will save time and resources. ”
HUMAN RESOURCES OF THE FOREST FIRES
Bekir stressed that 88 percent of human-induced forest fires in Turkey Pakdemirli, "Forest 83 million, all of us. There are serious consequences when lighting a fire or a barbecue. Negligence, deliberate destroys a hundred-year-old forest. The average number of fires in the last 10 years is 2 hectares annually and the average of damaged area is 200 thousand 7 hectares. For this reason, we will be careful to take care of our forests like our eyes, our hearts and our lungs. ” Minister Pakdemirli noted that the fire response time was reduced from 330 minutes in 2003 to 40 minutes first and 15 minutes in 2019. Explaining that the use of technology will be increased until the end of 12, Pakdemirli added that they will reduce this period to 2023 minutes.
“NO FORESTED AREA IS USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE”
In accordance with Article 169 of the Constitution, Minister Pakdemirli said that burning forest areas are under guarantee and continued as follows:
“No forest area that has been burned so far has been used for any other purpose, and its use will no longer be permitted. So even if it reflects, you are obliged to afforest it. There are not only trees in the forest. There is a huge paradise of plants and animals, a huge realm. With this sensitivity; We have a very serious target to increase our forest presence. This target is the planting of one tree, planting trees for every person living in the world. Thus, we will try to be one or second in the world especially by increasing our forest presence. ” Following the speech of Minister Pakdemirli, a public spot prepared to raise awareness about forest fires was watched. Pakdemirli also thanked the artists who supported this public spot.
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