Vigil has been stepped up in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and its surroundings following bush fires breaking out at a few places on Saturday.
Speaking to The Hindu, the Deputy Director, MTR, D. Chandran, said that bush fires had broken out at two places in Masinagudy and at one in Moyar.
With about 80 forest personnel, including fire watchers and anti-poaching watchers, battling the fires those at Masinagudy had been put out and the one at Moyar was in the process of being extinguished.
Damage
To a question, he said that the extent of damage was being assessed.
The cause of the fires was under investigation.
Meanwhile, conservationists said that dry conditions and a strong breeze were helping the forest fires spread rapidly.
K. Vijay, executive committee member of the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association, said that the Forest Department should come down with a heavy hand on those who started fires deliberately.
He feared that the escalating human - wild animal conflict, particularly in Gudalur and its surroundings, would be exploited by anti-social elements. Patrolling should be intensified.
