Hundreds of different types of trees destroyed
A forest fire that raged on Tuesday night destroyed hundreds of different types of trees, mostly rare and endangered species and medicinal plants, in the reserve forests on the Lower Palani Hills, damaging bio-diversity and wiping out the livelihood of many tribal communities.
The fire destroyed trees at the ninth hairpin bend on the Palani-Kodaikanal ghat road near Saverikadu. It quickly spread to other parts of the forests reducing trees, plants and herbs spread over many acres to ash. Smoke and flames filled the hill tracks. Wildlife perished, according to Santhanam Krishnan, a farmer, who brought vegetables to Palani market from Vada Kavunji in Kodaikanal in a van. Many other heavy vehicle drivers and tourist cab operators from Kodaikanal also struggled to cross this stretch. They returned to Saverikadu as dense smoke affected visibility.
Forest officials drew the ire of tribal people and corporation bus drivers waiting at the affected site. When one of the drivers informed Palani forest officials about the fire, they reportedly said that the area under fire was not under their control and asked him to contact the Kodaikanal forest office. In turn, Kodaikanal officials advised him to convey the message to the Udumalpet forest office, who said that the area was under the control of a sanctuary. No forest officials came to the spot, said Kannan of Kombaikadu, a nearby village.
The blaze reportedly subsided on its own.
A forest fire that raged on Tuesday night destroyed hundreds of different types of trees, mostly rare and endangered species and medicinal plants, in the reserve forests on the Lower Palani Hills, damaging bio-diversity and wiping out the livelihood of many tribal communities.
The fire destroyed trees at the ninth hairpin bend on the Palani-Kodaikanal ghat road near Saverikadu. It quickly spread to other parts of the forests reducing trees, plants and herbs spread over many acres to ash. Smoke and flames filled the hill tracks. Wildlife perished, according to Santhanam Krishnan, a farmer, who brought vegetables to Palani market from Vada Kavunji in Kodaikanal in a van. Many other heavy vehicle drivers and tourist cab operators from Kodaikanal also struggled to cross this stretch. They returned to Saverikadu as dense smoke affected visibility.
Forest officials drew the ire of tribal people and corporation bus drivers waiting at the affected site. When one of the drivers informed Palani forest officials about the fire, they reportedly said that the area under fire was not under their control and asked him to contact the Kodaikanal forest office. In turn, Kodaikanal officials advised him to convey the message to the Udumalpet forest office, who said that the area was under the control of a sanctuary. No forest officials came to the spot, said Kannan of Kombaikadu, a nearby village.
The blaze reportedly subsided on its own.
No comments:
Post a Comment