Wildfires fan concern over neelakurinji flowering

Soaring mercury levels cause forest fire in Marayur

The soaring mercury levels pose the threat of forest fires in Marayur in Idukki, which is all set for the blossoming of the neelakurinji in a few months.

A wildfire that engulfed the areas near the Pattissery dam this week damaged crops, plants and grassland in nearly 600 acres. The area had witnessed thick blossoming of neelakurinji flowers in 2006.

When wildfire engulfs a wide area, there is little chance for dousing it, as it is inaccessible to vehicular traffic. The wildfire that lasted for two days on Monday and Tuesday destroyed plants at G.N. Puram, known for neelakurinji flowering. Ollavayal, near Anamudi Shola; Pothumala, near Eravikulam National Park; and Koodakattukudi, near Palakkadan Shola; are the others areas that witnessed thick blossom of neelakurinji last season. An official of the Forest Department told

The Hindu on Thursday that these areas are close to tribal settlements and the chances of accidental fires are high. “The wildfires spread fast owing to the dry grass and favourable factors — it being in the rain shadow area,” he said.

Constant wind ensures that the fire engulfs large areas. The official said the only way to prevent it was by clearing the fire line.

Settlers are in the habit of burning dried leaves near the settlement. This often causes accidental fires during the night as the spark spreads to faraway grasslands within a short time. Wildfire that spreads during the nights is more dangerous, he said. During the last summer season, vast areas in Marayur were destroyed in wildfire.

The Forest Department also resorts to controlled fires in the grasslands to prevent wildfire. The official said nearly 1,000 to 1,500 acres of grassland prone to wildfire are put under controlled firing by the Forest Department. However, this would not in any way damage the flora and fauna as controlled burning is done after making preparations.

The official, however, said that wildfires would not damage neelakurinji, which is set to blossom from July. Like the grass that rejuvenates after the fire in the rainy season, the neelakurinji plants too resuscitate in the freshness of the rains.