R. KRISHNA KUMAR
The threat of forest fires looms large over Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks even as the Forest Department is gearing up to combat one of the worst droughts in recent decades.
The soaring mercury level coupled with depleting water-levels has compounded the situation, and the possibility of animals straying into human habitations in search of food and water is likely in the days ahead. The severity of the fodder crisis this year has been amplified by the devastation wreaked by the major fire that reduced a vast swathe of Nagarahole to cinders last March.
R. Gokul, Conservator of Forests, and Director, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, told The Hindu that the Mysore portion of Nagarahole was dry though there was moisture and greenery in the Kodagu portion. “But most of the watering holes in the national park have run dry while a few water bodies around Kalahalla and Nagarahole range can at best last for another 45 days.”
Water tanks constructed
The authorities constructed a water tank in the Metikuppe range as it was found that elephant herds were straying from their natural habitat in search of water. “It has helped arrest the elephants’ movement and they have returned to the core forest areas,” Mr. Gokul said.
A tank will also be constructed in the Antharsanthe range which has a large elephant population.
However, Mr. Gokul said that construction of the tank had been taken up on an experimental basis. He said that three to four tanks could be constructed in Veeranahosahalli and Antharsanthe.
“But, this will not help all animals because the prey density in Nagarahole is 50 animals per sq km and the requirement of all the animals cannot be met through artificial means,” Mr. Gokul said.
He said: “We have burnt 10-metre patch of vegetation along the fire lines on either side of the game (safari) roads. This works out to about 1,700 hectares out of a total area of 64,300 hectares or 2.65 per cent of the total forest area.”
Meanwhile, wildlife activists are dismayed that in spite of the possibility of a crisis, some critical posts are yet to be filled, which could affect forest fire protection. Sources said there was no range officer in Metikuppe range, which bore the brunt of last year’s fire. The situation is similar at Veeranahosahalli, while the post of Director at Bandipur National Park is vacant. Activists also sought a ban on tourism during the ‘forest fire season’ as this could augment available resources such as staff and vehicles to combat forest fires. Responding to the suggestion, Mr. Gokul said there was no such proposal at present though they may take a call on it later.
The scenario in Bandipur and BRT sanctuaries is similar.
D. Rajkumar of Wildlife Conservation Foundation expressed the fear that watering holes could go dry after 15 to 20 days. However, vegetation along the fire lines had been burnt and fire spotters had been hired, he said.
Meanwhile, the authorities in Mysore began clearing of vegetation along the fire lines at Chamundi Hills on Tuesday.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/threat-of-forest-fires-looms-large/article4311531.ece
High temperature, depleting water-levels have compounded situation
- ‘We have burnt 10-metre patch of vegetation along the fire lines in Nagarahole’
- Wildlife activists dismayed that some critical posts are yet to be filled
 |
| Preventive measure:Vegetation being cleared along the fire lines at Chamundi Hills in Mysore on Tuesday. |
The soaring mercury level coupled with depleting water-levels has compounded the situation, and the possibility of animals straying into human habitations in search of food and water is likely in the days ahead. The severity of the fodder crisis this year has been amplified by the devastation wreaked by the major fire that reduced a vast swathe of Nagarahole to cinders last March.
R. Gokul, Conservator of Forests, and Director, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, told The Hindu that the Mysore portion of Nagarahole was dry though there was moisture and greenery in the Kodagu portion. “But most of the watering holes in the national park have run dry while a few water bodies around Kalahalla and Nagarahole range can at best last for another 45 days.”
Water tanks constructed
The authorities constructed a water tank in the Metikuppe range as it was found that elephant herds were straying from their natural habitat in search of water. “It has helped arrest the elephants’ movement and they have returned to the core forest areas,” Mr. Gokul said.
A tank will also be constructed in the Antharsanthe range which has a large elephant population.
However, Mr. Gokul said that construction of the tank had been taken up on an experimental basis. He said that three to four tanks could be constructed in Veeranahosahalli and Antharsanthe.
“But, this will not help all animals because the prey density in Nagarahole is 50 animals per sq km and the requirement of all the animals cannot be met through artificial means,” Mr. Gokul said.
He said: “We have burnt 10-metre patch of vegetation along the fire lines on either side of the game (safari) roads. This works out to about 1,700 hectares out of a total area of 64,300 hectares or 2.65 per cent of the total forest area.”
Meanwhile, wildlife activists are dismayed that in spite of the possibility of a crisis, some critical posts are yet to be filled, which could affect forest fire protection. Sources said there was no range officer in Metikuppe range, which bore the brunt of last year’s fire. The situation is similar at Veeranahosahalli, while the post of Director at Bandipur National Park is vacant. Activists also sought a ban on tourism during the ‘forest fire season’ as this could augment available resources such as staff and vehicles to combat forest fires. Responding to the suggestion, Mr. Gokul said there was no such proposal at present though they may take a call on it later.
In Bandipur, BRT
The scenario in Bandipur and BRT sanctuaries is similar.
D. Rajkumar of Wildlife Conservation Foundation expressed the fear that watering holes could go dry after 15 to 20 days. However, vegetation along the fire lines had been burnt and fire spotters had been hired, he said.
Meanwhile, the authorities in Mysore began clearing of vegetation along the fire lines at Chamundi Hills on Tuesday.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/threat-of-forest-fires-looms-large/article4311531.ece
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