Forest officials across the State are on high alert as the scorching summer heat has begun to trigger fires at many places. In the Palakkad forest division alone, seven fires were reported in recent weeks in spite of enhanced preparedness against wildfires.
Most forest divisions and wildlife sanctuaries in the State have taken preventive measures against wildfires, 99% of which are believed to be human-made. When an ecologically rich and sensitive sanctuary such as the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is trying to guard itself by adopting fire-belts, forest divisions such as Palakkad with large open areas have adopted early burning or controlled burning methods to protect the forests and its invaluable assets.
“We are on full alert. We have appointed 60 watchers exclusively to prevent forest fires. We are trying to create awareness among the people, especially the tribespeople, who depend largely on forests and the MFP (minor forest produce),” says Sreenivas Kurra, Palakkad Divisional Forest Officer.
