N BEGURU (BANDIPUR): A week after fire broke out in Bandipur National Park ravaging almost a thousand acres of wooded areas, the situation is still critical. Only a spell of rain can bring relief.
Though the forest department has done its best to bring the fire under control within days by scrambling for all available human and other resources, the strong wind blowing in the region has kept the officials and ground staff on their toes. Forest officials say that the critical condition may continue for almost a month because of factors like hot temperatures, decreasing humidity of the ground and strong winds.
The warm temperature and dry weather had turned Bandipur into a tinder box before the fire broke out. The disaster was waiting to happen what with a scorched landscape littered with dry leaves, withered plants and shrubs and dry water holes.
The fire line exercise carried out by authorities seemed just not enough or they were late at it. Plants that are being used to douse the fire too have gone scarce and the fire engines have to ferry the water from Kabini backwaters, about 5-10km away. Bandipur has vegetation ranging from open grassy woodlands to evergreen and deciduous forests. Dry deciduous forest dominates the forest.
Valued hard woods like teak and rosewood are found in abundance.
No water for wildlife
While the fire has not affected the mammals much, the reptiles are bearing the brunt. But all animals are struggling to quench their thirst what with 340 of the 374 waterbodies spread across 874 sq. km of the national park being fully dry due to the failure of monsoons.
Though the forest department had drilled some borewells using solar energy, it has not been effective given the tough conditions. APCCF Ranga Rao said given the prevailing climatic conditions, only a spell of rain by March may bring big relief to the forest and wildlife.
“Though we have doused the fire on ground, many bamboo and other trees are still burning and the strong winds that are blowing in the region may spread it to other parts,” he said.
The fire has ravaged parts of Kalkere, N Beguru and Gundre ranges.
Forest officials say it’s too early to assess losses as the ground work is still on.