HYDERABAD: Telangana has reported an increase in forest fires, particularly in Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR). Around 1,423 forest fires have been reported in last seven months in the tiger reserve.
In the state, 12,132 forest fires were reported from November 2019 to June 2020, whereas the number has gone up to 18,237 forest fires in the last seven months.
The number of forest fires varies yearly depending on various natural and anthropogenic reasons, including accumulation of combustible materials such as dry leaves and twigs, officials said. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) sends forest fire alerts to all registered users on this alert system. The number of forest fire alerts sent by the FSI during the last five fire seasons in Telangana shows an increasing trend.
As per a report from the state government, ground fire was observed with no damage to existing flora and fauna, including the big cats, in ATR.
The state government in its report to the Union ministry of environment and forest said: “Around 11,000 km of cattle-proof trench has been taken up throughout the state in the last five years which not only helps in protection and improvement of soil moisture, but also acts as a fire break. In case of ATR, 732 km of cattle-proof trench has been dug up.”
Field officers are provided with a list of fire vulnerable forest areas obtained through spatial analysis to effectively plan fire lines and take up mitigation measures. Around 15,000 km fire lines had been completed till 2020-21 throughout the state, while 1,200 km of fire lines with five meter width had been created and maintained in the ATR.
Apart from the existing base camp watchers and strike force members, additional fire watchers and 45 quick response teams were engaged in highly vulnerable areas for four months in hired vehicles for faster movement. Around 52 watch towers have been constructed at vantage points to locate and monitor forest fires throughout the state. Twelve such towers have come up in ATR alone, officials said.
