B. Ramanath Rai, Forest Minister, on Tuesday met the forest staff who suffered burns while dousing the fire at Kalkere range in Bandipur National Park, at a private hospital here. The fire had claimed the life of a forest guard, Murigeppa Tammangol.
Accompanied by the Minister in-charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa, Mr. Rai visited the injured Range Forest Officer Gangadhar and two watchers, who were being treated for burns.
Later, speaking to presspersons, Mr. Rai said an inquiry had been ordered into the fire and added that a team of officers would probe the issue from all angles. He promised to make efforts to provide a government job to one of the dependants of the deceased Murigeppa. All medical expenses of the injured forest staff will be borne by the government, he said, after speaking to the doctors.
The Minister said more staff will be joining the department to guard the forests since the appointees to various posts had been undergoing training. They will be posted to their respective positions at the earliest to overcome the shortage of staff.
In reply to a question, he said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will look into the Kappadagudda issue. A conservation reserve tag had been sought for Kappadgudda in Gadag district.
Later, Mr Rai visited the fire ravaged Kalkere range in Bandipur National Park that claimed the life of Murigeppa Tammangol.
The Minister told reporters that the department was considering introducing modified motorcycles fitted with portable fire fighting equipment for rapid response to forest fires before the ground staff takes up fire dousing operations.
When asked whether the Bandipur fire was man-made or natural, the Minister said he could comment on the cause at this stage since an inquiry had been ordered into the episode. “The investigation will unravel the truth,” he said, adding that scientific steps will be introduced to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
