Nature steps in to douse fire

Spell of summer rain helps put out major fire at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

A spell of summer rain on Saturday evening helped douse a massive forest fire that ravaged over 50 hectares of thick forests inside the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.

According to Forest officials, the protected reserve was witness to such large-scale wildfire after 11 years. Officials are now assessing the exact impact of the damage on the rich flora and fauna of the reserve that borders the Anamalai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu.

According to Forest Department sources, more than 2,500 hectares of forest area in the State had been completely destroyed in wildfires in the last two weeks, while nearly 1,200 hectares of land was partially burnt.

Parambikulam is the worst affected region. Wildfire has also been reported from the Attappady and Nilambur forests.

Many forest areas in Palakkad, Wayanad and Idukki districts are facing threat of wildfire. People living close to the forest environs are also feeling the heat.

Under control: Raju

Staff Reporter writes from Thiruvananthapuram: Forest Minister K. Raju has said that the forest fire reported in various parts of the State have been brought under control.

He lauded Forest personnel and officials of the Indian Air Force, Fire and Rescue Services, and State Disaster Management wing, who assisted them, for their efforts in controlling the fire.

In an official statement, the Minister was quoted as saying that the department had adopted adequate precautionary measures in view of the possibility of forest fires.

Mr. Raju has assured that there was no reason for apprehensions in view of the prevailing circumstances.

Mr. Raju urged the public not to throw cigarettes or beedis into forests or light fires in areas susceptible to major fire outbreaks.

Such incidents threatened to destroy the forest wealth and its rich biodiversity, he said.