At the 10th State Wildlife Board meeting in Bengaluru yesterday, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah lashed out at forest officials over the fire where a young guard lost his life, battling flames.

When the issue of forest fire and the compensation for the guard was placed before him, Siddharamaiah lost his cool and expressed his dissatisfaction over the working style of the forest department.

Though officials explained how tough it is to keep a tab on such a wide range of woods regularly, the CM was in no mood to listen. When officials briefed him about miscreants lighting fire at 4 to 5 places and how it was difficult to check manually as the extent of the range is huge, Siddharamaiah asked them “When was the last time you patrolled the forest? What were the department personnel doing when miscreants had illegally gained entry into forests and lit the fire?”

When there was no answer from forest officials, CM added angrily: “If you all just sit in Bengaluru, how you all will be able to see what is happening in forests? Perhaps, this is the reason they (officials at forests) are so laid-back with their responsibility.” The CM further berated the bureaucrats of the Forest Ministry  saying: “A young guard has lost his life because of this and he had to support his family. Who will answer and reply to the questions of his family members?” he asked.

Rs. 25 lakh compensation

Later Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment B. Ramanath Rai informed the media that Bandipur Tiger Conservation Foundation will give Rs. 25 lakh compensation to the family of forest guard Murigeppa Tammangol who died while trying to douse the forest fire at Bandipur.

He also said that directions had been issued to conduct a detailed enquiry into the cause of forest fire.