Forest fire in Bandipur; no major damage caused
A forest fire broke out near Kaniyanapura corridor of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Wednesday but was doused before it could wreak extensive damage to the flora and fauna.
The fire was noticed at Vireshwara Betta near Mangala dam and it spread towards a private resort by when about 20 forest watchers, fire spotters, and other personnel reached the spot and extinguished it.
H.C. Kantharaj, Director, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, told The Hindu that the blaze was minor and could at best be described as a bush fire as the area had scanty vegetation cover and grass.
“There was no bamboo or lantana in the region and hence there was no scope for crown fire,” said Mr. Kantharaj.
Damage
However, other sources said the fire raged for a couple of hours before being brought under control and estimate that about 20 to 30 acres of forest could have been burnt.
The authorities have recruited about 300 temporary staff and deployed them for fire-fighting operations in Bandipur — which is spread over 880 sq km — since January 20th.
However, as against 350 temporary staff recruited last year, the government approved 300 watchers for the current year, citing paucity of funds. Hence, a section of the Forest Department staff believe the fire could be an “act of revenge” by the disgruntled elements who were denied employment this year.
The authorities are bracing up for difficult times ahead as the searing heat and drought in Chamarajanagar region had dried up the forests.
“Omkara, Hediyala, Malyiyuru and Gundlupet ranges are sensitive, though vegetation continues to be green in forests bordering Kerala,” said Mr. Kantharaj.
While parts of Bandipur is fast drying up due to inadequate rainfall, proliferation of weeds like lantana has turned a vast swathe of the national park into a cinder box,” according to D. Rajkumar of the Wildlife Conservation Foundation.
The lantana coverage is almost 65 per cent in tourism area which is spread over 80 sq km, he added.
