Fire halts safari at Nagarahole tiger reserve T

TNN | Feb 28, 2012, 12.06PM IST MYSORE: The forest fire at Nagarahole tiger reserve has put it out of bounds for tourists. The forest department on Monday banned safari in the national park even as the fire continued to rage at the park, destroying vast tracts of land. There are now concerns about the big cats as the forest fire has occurred at the critical tiger habitat of Kallahalla. A wildlife activist said the fire is raging and spreading in the tiger habitat. The forest department is suspecting the involvement of tribals in the fire. PCCF (wildlife) B K Singh told TOI that the safari has been banned. "We will review the situation and take a call on resuming the safari," he explained. Singh is visiting the tiger reserve spread over Mysore and Kodagu districts on Tuesday to take stock of the situation. He said fire has been noticed near Bommadhaadi, which, he said, is in the core area. This happened in the afternoon, after which the forest officials brought the forest fire under control. He suspects it could be an act of persons who are familiar with the forest. "Miscreants have put fire near bamboo groves to cause damage on a large scale," he stated. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Fire-halts-safari-at-Nagarahole-tiger-reserve/articleshow/12067186.cms