Bandipur forest fire: CM seeks IAF help to douse Fire  

Bengaluru:  The state government on Monday sought SOS help from the Indian Air Force to douse the raging forest fire across Bandipur Tiger Reserve that has been spreading from past four days.

Chief Minister Kumaraswamy after reviewing the situation at Bandipur and identifying the extent of damage held talks with Ministry of Defence and IAF officials and sought intervention to contain the fire and safeguard the precious flora and fauna of the state.

Reportedly Kumaraswamy requested the IAF officials to deploy helicopters for fire fighting by drawing water from the nearby Nugu Reservoir. 

Following Kumaraswamy’s plea, the defence ministry has directed the IAF officials to begin the operation soon, informed sources.

Reacting to the incident Deputy Chief minister Parameshwara informed that about 8,000 acres of area is completely burnt. The government has directed the Forest officials to conduct a probe into this incident from every angle and conduct inquiry over the lapses.

Meanwhile, the forest officials informed that the grassland around Mangala had burned a lot and the flames have been seen spreading towards Gopalaswamy Hill. 

The problem is that there has been no fire in the area over the last four-five years and the grass had grown to a height of four-five feet, principal chief conservator of forest Punati Sridhar told.

A stretch of eight kilometres of forest from Varekatte to Gopalaswamy Hill has been reduced to ashes while reports said the fire has spread to Chartalakore Hill, Dummana Hill and Gouri Kallu Hill.

The forest minister is overseeing preventive action and the forest officials and fire service personnel are trying to contain the fire, he said adding that he has instructed officials to also take preventive measures.

Thousands of acres of land in the Bandipur tiger reserve were gutted in a fire over the last four days, creating fear about the safety of wild animals.