In wake of the forest fire that broke out in Sagar and Hosanagar taluks on February 18 in which more than 250 acres of vegetation was ravaged, the Forest Department has stepped up vigil to prevent such incidents in the future.
The department has set a target to draw 600-km-long fire line in wildlife sanctuary, reserve forest, and minor forest limits in the district this year to prevent the outbreak of forest fire and the work on this has already commenced. The forest cover on either side of National Highway 13 and 206 that pass through the district has been identified as a sensitive patch as the possibilities of outbreak of fire owing to cigarette butts thrown by motorists on the roadside are high. A fire line of 5 metre width has been drawn on either side of both these roads. As bamboo groves in Choradi and Anavatti range forests have dried up after flowering making these patches vulnerable for fire, patrolling has been intensified here.
In addition to the existing field staff in the wildlife sanctuary limits, forest watchers have been hired on daily wage basis to ensure better vigilance. The hired staff will work from January to May. There are four ranges in the limits of Shettyhalli Wildlife Sanctuary while Sharavati Valley Wildlife Sanctuary has two ranges.
M.C. Cheluvaraj, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife division, told The Hindu that 120 watchers have been hired on daily wage basis to serve in the limits of the two wildlife sanctuaries in the district during summer. A total of 40 field staff have been deputed for each range that includes 20 permanent staff and 20 hired watchers for patrolling work during summer to prevent outbreak of fire. Walkie-talkie sets have been provided for each field staff to ensure better communication. Two jeeps have been provided for each range in the limits of wildlife sanctuary for the patrolling work, he added.
Mohan Gangolli, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Sagar division, told The Hindu that no major incident of forest fire has been reported in Sagar and Hosanagar taluk in past one week and the situation was under control.
It has been planned to involve the public actively in forest fire prevention activities and in fire fighting operations. Residents of Choradi, Gowligara Camp, and Kudigere villages had worked with the personnel of the department in extinguishing the fire that broke out in Ambligolla forest. Training programmes are being conducted for the members of gram panchayats and village forest committees on measures to be taken to prevent forest fires. In Hunasavalli, Hirenallur, and Kanle villages, people have drawn fire line by holding shramadan (voluntary labour) programmes, he said.
