The Forest Department has shored up its firefighting capabilities to combat forest fires that tend to ravage large swathes of forest in Bandipur during summer every year.
Apart from completing the burning of the fire lines and deploying additional staff roped in from local tribal communities, the authorities have equipped themselves with motorised fire sprayers besides mini-vans of 2,000-litre capacity so as to contain the fire before it turns into a major conflagration.
The tried and tested method to contain the forest fire is to create a firebreak or fire lines by clearing the vegetation, in the absence of which the fire does not spread. Fire breaks or fire lines are created along demarcated boundaries and are undertaken in winter as the presence of moisture enables controlled burning.
The Conservator of Forests and Director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve Ambadi Madhav told The Hindu that fire lines covering all the 13 ranges of the tiger reserve have been completed, covering 2,700 km. The situation so far is better than what it was during the corresponding period last year in view of delayed rains, he added.
Bandipur witnessed some of the worst fires last year and a forest guard – Murigeppa Tammangol – lost his life as he was engulfed by flames while trying to douse the fire. Therefore, in addition to conventional methods of fire fighting, such as creating fire breaks and putting out mini-fires by repeatedly stomping, the authorities have deployed water containers of 2,000-litre capacity.
Mr. Madhav said they have been deployed in Gundre, Moleyuru, Maddur and Bandipur ranges which are more prone to fire and can be transported anywhere in case of an emergency. The mini-van has a 50 m long pipe attached to it and will facilitate the guards to extend their reach.
In addition, mini-motorised water sprayers of 20-litre capacity have also been provided to all ranges so that the staff can carry the same as backpacks and get into the interiors to put out small fires before they become conflagrations.
Additional staff
Also, about 450 additional staff have been recruited on a temporary basis to act as fire watchers and will be on duty till the onset of the southwest monsoon by when the threat of fires will have completely diminished. This is a normal practice and youth from different tribal hamlets are identified and handpicked for the job. They receive ration apart from their daily wages.
As a preventive measure, the local community too has been taken into confidence to help alert the forest staff and also douse fires. Awareness programmes have been organised to underline the inimical effects of such fires.
Lantana aggravates fire
Bandipur, and the adjoining Nagarahole, have a history of fire breaking out in summer. These are manmade – either deliberate or accidental – and are compounded by the dry deciduous nature of the forests.
In addition, proliferation of lantana – a weed which is highly combustible when dry – acts, as a fuel to fan forest fires. Large swathes of Bandipur have been swamped by lantana in recent years. This aggravates the problem during summer.
