BENGALURU: With the dry spell continuing in the state, Kali Tiger Reserve has severely been affected by forest fires. Kulgi Range in this reserve has witnessed one of the worst fires in recent times, affecting many a ground species. According to forest officials, the fire has now been contained and a strict vigil is being maintained.
The fire started after Maha Shivaratri jathre celebrations at Kavala Caves. More than 12 hectares of forest land was burnt and it took the forest staff two days to contain the fire. It was a tough task for the staffers to douse the fire in a moist deciduous area and a terrain marked by steep slopes.
Kulgi Range Forest Officer Prasanna said, “It all started on the day of the fair at Kavala as thousands of people descended in an area which hardly sees any people. We have stopped trekking activities here, but the fair cannot be stopped.
It is difficult to ascertain who set the fire amid the teeming devotees making their way to the caves. We had drawn fire lines but due to strong winds, the fire spread across the range.”
The RFO added, “Every hour, fire watchers are on the lookout from watch towers. Of the 35 water holes, 70 per cent have gone dry. Big mammals and other species have not been affected but micro-species have borne the brunt of the fire.”
However, wildlife activists from Dandeli say the fire started before the fair and spread across the range, 40-50 per cent of which is now burnt. According to them, a sufficient number of fire watchers were not hired despite the availability of adequate funds from NTCA. The forest department was ill-prepared. They also said that senior officials — from range forest officer to the director of the tiger reserve — should be held accountable for the damage.
Action should be taken against the culprits responsible for such a big fire, the activists added. “Most of Kulgi is badly hit and tough days are ahead for animals. Even Vincholi, Amagaon, Ambika Nagar and Kavala are badly hit. If Bandipur is hit, it makes news, but nobody bothers about Kali, which is far from Bengaluru,” an activist said.