A minimum of 30 acres of forest landscape was devastated by a fire set by miscreants in the Punanjur range of BRT tiger reserve today. Three different places were set on fire making the task more onerous for forest staff to douse the raging flames.
Constrained from assisting: The government of India's directive to condemn vehicles which are 15 years old ensured the fire services department was constrained from assisting on-ground forest staff.
We had written to Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to reconsider his ministry's decision to ban the use of fire tenders which are 15 years old. We had also written to the Government of Karnataka to request Gadkari to treat fire tenders as essential services, like the army. But...If quick response vehicles were available at least some parts of the tiger habitat could have been saved.
Drone survey to assess the damage: According to BRT field director Deepa Contractor, at least 30 acres have been burnt. "We will do a drone survey and assess the damage, whether it is ground or crown fire," said Deepa Contractor. She admitted that no new fire lines were drawn for lack of funds.
Our staff did their best: "We maintained the old fire lines by hiring watchers through Tiger Conservation Funds. The blowing winds spread the fire to the slopes. Our staff did their best. But it was beyond them," said Deepa.
Only God can save our forests: Considering there were fires in the Yellandur range in BRT recently, more protection could have stopped the miscreants from destroying precious biodiversity in Chamarajnagar district. Now that the Government of India is reluctant to retract its order, only God can save our forests with rain.
Inputs and photos courtesy: Joseph Hoover
Very sad to know this reckless devastation of our precious forest. This is perhaps the job of hooligans dwelling in the periphery of the forest to meet their nefarious ends. GOI is also not serious about forest conservation. The recent amendment to definition of the word 'forest' would have led to losing vast tracts of forest land.Thanks to the Supreme court the amendment was struck down to retain the dictionary definition.
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