Environment

Forest fire in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, more than 600 acres reduced to cinder

By IndSamachar Bureau

Posted on 22/02/2019

More than 600 acres of forest has been reduced to cinder in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Disastrous.

The Karnataka government has to be held responsible for the ecological loss of flora and fauna.

It has been over two months since the government promoted Bandipur Tiger Reserve director Ambadi Madhav as Chief Conservator of Forests and posted him to Mysore. But for some intriguing reason, Ambadi Madhav has held on to his post. He holds charge of Bandipur and Mysore.

The forest department had proposed Dr. Sunil Panwar to be put in charge of Bandipur. But someone in the government did not release Dr Sunil Panwar from the e-commerce department.

February and March are the most critical months, when fire is a disturbing threat to the eco-system.

Without an in-position park director things have gone bad to worse in Bandipur. When there were repeated fires, we had informed the higher authorities in the forest department about the callousness of Kundhakere RFO Manjunath and the arrogant behaviour of Bandipur ranger Srinivas. Local youth who put out fires without the support of the department were abused and warned by these inept RFOs.

Winning the confidence of local communities is very, very important. A relationship had been established with frequent meetings. But these two RFOs have defeated the work of their predecessors.

The government has failed us. If Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is serious to protect our forests and the people of Karnataka, he should immediately post an experienced, honest, people-friendly officer to Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The chief minister should also transfer the Kundhakere and Bandipur RFOs. He should initiate an inquiry. Our chief minister should also not heed to the pressure of cabinet colleagues and MLAs.

Nagarhole tiger reserve is also under severe stress. The government appointed an officer with dubious record as the Nagarhole director, under the influence of a JDS leader. Though the government soon realised its mistake and transferred Narayanswamy, he challenged the administration by taking his case with the KAT (Karnataka Administrative Tribunal). To embarrass the government, he continues to hold charge of pristine wildlife habitat.

Bandipur and Nagarhole are critical tiger habitats. Only officers with credibility and ability should be posted in such habitats. Period.

It is sad commentary that people regard conservator of forests as contractors. It belittles the entire forest force.

There are many good officers in the forest department. But the government sends such genuine forest officers on deputation to pollution control board, e-commerce and other departments.

It is time Karnataka government takes the subject of forests seriously. Else, it could kill us all to sate the greedy appetite of some ministers and MLAs.

Over to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Guest author: JOSEPH HOOVER, evironmentalist

Pic courtesy: SUVARNA NEWS website