Forester suspects foul play

H M Aravind & G RAJENDRA, TNN | Feb 29, 2012, 12.51AM IST MYSORE/MADIKERI: The raging wildfire at Nagarahole tiger reserve has abated, even as it is seen as an act of revenge to hit out at the forest department. Fire management by officials has come into sharp focus, with wildlife activists holding them responsible for the major damage - now estimated at some 3,000 acres of forest cover destroyed - even as they agreed with the forest department that it is a man-made calamity. As PCCF (wildlife) B K Singh arrived at the tiger reserve on Tuesday, questions are being raised over the management of the national park. "There is a human element to the fire tragedy. Miscreants are at work. But there is also failure on the part of the officials in fire management," said a wildlife activist who did not wish to be named. According to the PCCF, tribals are involved. "Our investigations suggest that some tribals are involved and we'll book cases against them. They were opposing relocation out of the tiger reserve," Singh told TOI. The fire mishap occurred at Bommadahalli, where the tribals are opposing the creation of elephant-proof trenches. The forest dept is taking satellite images from Isro to assess the damage, and find out the extent of the fire. Of the seven ranges in the park stretch, spread over 643 sqkm in Mysore and Kodagu districts, four ranges were on fire, which indicates human involvement, officials said. In Nagarahole range, which forms the heart of the tiger reserve, the fire was first noticed at Marappanakere and later engulfed the area. There is a tribal colony 2km from here, and a village 5km away, the activist explained. Chances are high that those nursing a grouse against the forest staff set off the fire, and it happened in more than one place. They may have been booked for some forest offence, and started the fire out of vengeance, he added. There has been a delay in taking preventive measures to check a possible wildfire, allege some of the wildlife activists. According to them, this could have led to the fire break out. Fire lines to control wildfires are formed during December and January; and from February, when summer peaks, fire watchers are put on duty. But the PCCF countered this, saying that sometimes, drawing fire lines early becomes ineffective. Activists said that dried bamboo catch fire quickly and help it spread. Officials and environmentalists said larger animals, including big cats, will have moved to safety, but reptiles and ground nesting birds would have lost their lives. Assistant conservator of forests ( Hunsur wildlife division) K A Belliappa said the loss is yet to be estimated. "The situation is under control, though in some places, the fire is still on and the staff are trying hard to douse it. Around 120 forest staff were deputed to control the fire in all the areas," he said. "Teakwood trees have been reduced to cinders, though the total loss is yet to be estimated," he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Forester-suspects-foul-play/articleshow/12075549.cms