With mercury levels soaring and summer showers getting scanty, more incidents of forest fires are being recorded from across the State. Since January 1, 132 instances of forest fire have been reported in the State. The data compiled by the Forest Survey of India till April 3, 2016, indicated that the forests of Kerala are not free from the risks of fire.
Palakkad and Wayanad, the two districts which have been reeling under sun, recorded the maximum loss. Twenty-five instances each were reported from these districts. Extreme heat has been reported from these districts and they have not been sufficient summer showers.
The combination of these factors has contributed to the incidents of fire in these districts, said a senior forest official.
After the two northern Kerala districts, Malappuram and Idukki (19 cases of forest fire) and Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts (15 cases each) topped the blaze list.
Alarm bells
Though forest fires are considered part of the ecosystem, the blazes have sets alarm bells ringing. Deciduous forests and grasslands are more prone to forest fires, he said.
Plantations are another high-risk area as there would be human habitations and roads near them.
Human activities often contribute to forest fire. Good summer showers would reduce the risk, he said.
In sandalwood division of Marayur too
There had also been fire in Marayur, where the State’s only sandalwood division is located.
The fire was brought under control without any loss to the trees, he said.
With the risk of fire on the rise, the officials have started placing curbs on the ecotourism activities in key tourist areas. Tourist visits to such sites and movement of vehicles and their parking on roadsides increase the chance of fire.
The drying up of water sources and vegetation in the forest would force animals to enter human habitations. It would also increase man-animal conflicts.
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary has been closed to visitors till April 20 considering the fire risk, indicated a communication from the wildlife authorities.
