Trees on hundreds of acres burnt in fire in BRT sanctuary

[Mrudul Godbole]

CHAMARAJANAGAR: Tress on hundreds of acres were burnt when a forest fire broke out in Krishnaiahana katte and Bethal katte limits of Biligiri Rangana Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary on Tuesday.

Deputy Conservator of Forests for wildlife, Chamarajanagar Division, Bishwajith Mishra told The Hindu that the forest fire was the work of miscreants. He said that the fire spread only on the ground level. He said that forest staff managed to put out the fire. Mr. Mishra said that the fire may have spread fast owing to high winds and high temperature. He said that the fire broke out at Gavibore, Muntipalya Krishnaiahana Katte, Bethal katte and spread up to the Gumballi side.


Link - http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/10/stor...1058950300.htm

[Lakshminarayanan Nataraja]

This is a real test of endurance for animals, especially the larger mammals like gaur and elephants...

It is so unfortunate that man made fires are on the increase in our forests during the dry period.. The forage is very limited and if fire swallows the available food, many mammals will perish in a cruel way.

It is really better if south Indian sanctuaries are closed between February to May.

Few sanctuaries are closed periodically- Mudumalai, Anaimalai etc. The closure should be timely (before the damage actually happens) and all sanctuaries should adopt closure irrespective of the tourism pressure.