Hi

I am reporting this from Ooty. Had planned to get to Gudalur, Wynad and back track to Gudalur and catch up with Vikram at Kabini this week. The plans are now completely haywire with forest fires in the Bandipur sector forcing sanctuaries at Waynad to be closed.

Read this link at "The Hindu"

http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/02/stor...0253870400.htm

There are already reports coming in of huge elephant herds crossing over to the Gudalur range and one of my friends who owns an estate on the borders is having a nightmare with hordes of them raiding the plantation every night in large numbers.

Will be critical for the Bandipur sancturary to help suppliment the additional inflow of animals which are trying to beat the fires.

I am trying to work some contacts at the forest department to get closer to the fires with the forest teams which are trying to contain them and if successful, will post some reports and photos in the next few days.

Rajan