Jharsuguda Under the Jharsuguda Forest Range, a one-day football tournament was organized at Handatopa Playground in the Bagaridhi forest area under the supervision of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vandana Pasayat. The tournament aimed to raise awareness and find solutions for forest fire prevention.
A total of eight teams from different villages within the Bagaridhi forest region participated in the tournament, including teams from Banki, Dobahal, Handatopa, Malibeura, Bungaberd, Sarasamal, Sulehi, and Jatipada. The team from Malibeura emerged as the winner of the tournament.
The event was graced by Bhimajor Sarpanch Man Bag and Kirmira Panchayat Samiti Vice-President Savitri Majhi as chief guests. All young players and the residents of Handatopa village took an oath to protect forests from fire, pledging, “Let us all come together to safeguard our forests from fire.”
The initiative aimed to spread awareness and encourage active participation in forest fire prevention efforts within the Bagaridhi forest area. Officials including DFO Vandana Pasayat, Forester Murari Prasad Sahu, Amir Patel, Team Leader Chudamani Behera, and all other staff of the Bagaridhi forest division contributed to the successful execution of the event.