Puttur: Wildfire that broke out around the Shiradi ghat region around the weekend is feared to have reduced hundreds of acres of precious forest growth to ashes.
Besides the forests, a large number of exotic flora and fauna is believed to have perished in the fire. Inaccessibility within the forest and steep mountainous range have been stumbling block in dousing the fire. The forest personnel appeared to be helpless being miserably understaffed.
The wildfire this week broke out over the Gundya checkpost and spread to the top of the mountains. The atmospheric summer heat contributed to the destruction. Forests overlooking Barchinahalla, Shiradi and Gundya have been the worst affected.
This is the second time that such a holocaust has taken place. A few days earlier, over 500 acres of forests had perished across Amedikallu, Shishila, Chinganigudde-Shibaraje, Kalenja, Puduvettu and other areas.
Wildfires, especially in forest lands is likely to increase due to changing climates and constant delays in monsoon season. When the grass is dry a simple cigarette butt can trigger a fire anywhere and that fire can spread all across the land. These wild fires can spread hundreds of miles destroying not only land but also housing properties making people homeless. These kind of fires are very common in North America where the pine trees can catch fire even when they are alive and fresh. Aerial spray is one of the best remedies but in countries such as India the… Read more »