H.D. Kote/ Mysuru: The forest inferno at a portion of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve has been brought under control in a four-hour-long operation by Forest Department teams, volunteers, villagers and the general public. The fire that ironically began yesterday on World Wildlife Day (Mar. 3) destroyed over 20 hectares of the forest.

The fire erupted at Udbur in Antharasanthe range in H.D. Kote taluk at 3.30 pm on Wednesday and spread rapidly up to Manandavadi Road due to strong winds. 

Smoke bellowing from the fire could be seen from a great distance and motorist passing on the H.D. Kote Road were shocked to see the amount of thick black smoke. Matters worsened as the day temperature was high due to hot sun and gusty winds helped the fire to spread rapidly.

Over six vehicles including water tankers of Fire and Emergency Services Department and more than 500 people and 30 Forest personnel brought the inferno under control. Apart from the Department personnel, public, volunteers, employees of Jungle Lodges and Resorts and residents of forest fringes too joined the operation.

Antharasanthe Range Forest Officer (RFO) Siddaraju said they were able to put the fire under control with the help of field staff and fire-fighters and field officers and staff who rushed to the spot on time.

Addressing reporters through a recorded video, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve Director D. Mahesh Kumar claimed that only 20 hectares of forest was reduced to ashes.

“It is a man-made fire and some miscreants set the forest on fire intentionally. We have brought the fire under complete control and after the fire-extinguishing operation, our officers and staff patrolled the area all through the night and ensured that embers too are extinguished. All precautionary measures have been taken and we have taken control of the fire,” he said.

Though the Tiger Reserve had not reported major fire incidents for two years due to preventive measures, summers are risky as such incidents will be frequently reported and unless effective measures are taken, the fire goes out of control. 

Yesterday, on the occasion of World Wildlife Day, the Forest Department had organised an event at Dammanakatte where senior Forest Department officers and field staff were present. It is suspected that miscreants utilised this opportunity to set the fire at Antharasanthe Range. 

Due to the inferno, the post-lunch safari rides from Dammanakatte was cancelled. Four safari vehicles had taken tourists for the safari at 3 pm and as soon as the drivers heard information about the fire on wireless, the vehicles were turned back to Dammanakatte safari starting point.