MYSORE: With the forest officials worrying about forest fire which destroyed hundreds of acres in Nagarhole, Bandipur and Biligiriranga Wildlife sanctuaries, the pre-monsoon showers have brought a sense of relief in a few parts of the national parks.
The rains in the neighbouring Kodagu district have raised hopes of early rains in a couple of days.
“Nagarhole which witnessed worst forest fire in past four decades has received good amount of rains in Antharasanthe, Hunasakatte, D B Kuppe. However, more than eighty per cent of the park is still dry. The Forest personnel are present on patrol, camping on watch towers across the park as there were reports of few mischief mongers who had attempted to set fire in eleven places in Kalalla halla forest range,” said DFO Vijayranjan Singh. The Bandipur national park also has received rain fall in Beggur range, Mulehole.There are reports of wildlife movements and crop raids in villages in and around Bandipur and Biligiriranga Forest as there is acute scarcity of water and fodder inside the park.
The Forest Department has sought the support of the police, Special Task Force and police platoons camping in BRT sanctuary to keep a vigil on the movement of miscreants who are behind the forest fire. “Even as Poonachi Forest area in M M Hills received rains on Saturday, the officials tarted digging ponds inside the forest to ensure there is sufficient water for wild animals. Local tribal population were employed for the task,” said DCF Javeed Mumtaz. The Meteorology Department predicted scattered pre-monsoon rains from Tuesday that would also help the grass spurt and improve the situation.