Blaze rips through forests of Nilambur
Blaze rips through forests of Nilambur
01 March 2012
published by http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India — MALAPPURAM: The fire that broke in Nilambur forest has turned into ashes more than 1,200 hectares of woods in the Nilambur south and north divisions. Twenty acres of forest in Silent Valley Buffer Zone, a unique ecosystem, too has been destroyed in the fire. Forest officials said the fire has been ‘partially brought under control’ by Wednesday evening. Fire in the deep forest is yet to be doused.
According to the forest department officials, the fire has incinerated flora and fauna in Chenkode, Pullankode, Nellikara and Pulimunda in Nilambur divisions, and Kozhipra region. The region adjacent to the Silent Valley buffer zone, of Western Ghats, provides unique habitat for rare species of flora and fauna.
It took hours to control the fire in Chenkode and Pullankode region. Hundreds of people including eco activists, and volunteers of social organizations headed by M Joshil, the officer of Silent Valley Range, took part in the operation to douse the fire in Kalikavu Range and Silent Valley region.
“Inaccessibility to the mountain cliffs caused the fire to spread,” said C V Rajan, the forest officer of Nilambur south division. “The situation is under control but wildfire continues in some regions,” he said.
According to C V Rajan, the bamboo forest in the region is one of the major reasons that led the fire to spread to the buffer zone. It seems the fire lines constructed in the area are not effective, he said.
“There is possibility for another fire in the area, as the fire line methods are not effective here,” said Joshil. “We are closely observing the situation. More than twenty forest staff have been deployed in the region,” he said.
The glimpse of wild fire was first reported at Chenkode forest region, which comes under Nilambur South Forest division , during Monday afternoon, by local people. Even though the joint operation of forest officials and the organizations started immediately, the fire spreaded swiftly to the adjacent areas, owing to favourable wind.
Malappuram: The forest fire that already destroyed more than 1000 hectares of forests under Nilambur south and North divisions brought partially under control by Wednesday evening. However, 20 acres of forests in Silent Valley Buffer Zone, which is home to the unique flora and fauna, destroyed in the fire on Wednesday.
According to the Forest Department officials, more than 1200 hectares of forest destroyed in the fire in Chenkode, Pullankode , and Nellikara, Pulimunda in Nilambur divisions, and many invaluable forest lives including micro flora and fauna, destroyed in the fire at Kozhipra region. The region adjacent to the Silent Valley buffer zone, of Western Ghats, provides unique habitat for rare species of flora and fauna.
It was after hours long effort, the fire in Chenkode and Pullankode region brought under control by Wednesday afternoon. But, the fire in some areas in deep forest region yet to bring under control. Hundreds of people including eco activists, and volunteers of social organisations headed by M Joshil, the officer of Silent Valley Range, took part in the operation to douse the fire in Kalikavu range and Silent valley region.
In accessibility to the regions of mountain areas, including mountain cliffs, made difficult to carry out quick operation to spread fire said C V Rajan, the Forest Officer of Nilambur South division. He was speaking to media persons at Nilambur . ‘The situation is under control now, even though the fire is remain in some regions’, he said.
According to C V Rajan, ‘The bamboo forest in the region was one of the major reasons for the spreading of fire to buffer zone region. It seems the fire lines, constructed in the area are not effective, he said.
Joshil said, the fire in the region brought under control , but there is a possibility for another fire, as the fire line methods are not effective in the area. ‘We are closely observing the situation. More than twenty forest staff have been deployed in the region’, he added.
The glimpse of wild fire was first reported at Chenkode forest region, which comes under Nilambur South Forest division , during Monday afternoon, by local people. Even though the joint operation of forest officials and the organizations started immediately, the fire spreaded swiftly to the adjacent areas, owing to favourable wind.
