Kattukkugal Nilgiri forest fire: Forest department’s clarification
Tamil Nadu: The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests has reported that the Nilgiri forest fire has been completely contained.
A press release issued by the Tamil Nadu Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests on Wednesday stated that upon receiving information about a forest fire in the Wenlock Downs Reserve Forest in the Parsons Valley Range on April 15, local forest department teams immediately swung into action. More than 500 forest department personnel and six district forest officers from across Tamil Nadu responded to the fire. Additionally, seven fire engines from the State Forest Department were deployed at key locations. Two teams of 60 personnel from the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Response Force and the Fire Department also participated in the effort. More than 100 local environmental development committee members also assisted. The fire was so intense that air support was requested.
Given the situation, the District Collector, at the request of the District Forest Officer, requested helicopter assistance through the State Disaster Management Authority. On the 25th, an Air Force team from Sulur assisted in controlling the fire by spraying water from helicopters.
Later, helicopter use was suspended due to bad weather. No human settlements were affected by the fire. No fire broke out in the Sola forests. Firebreaks, trenching, motor pumps, modern fire engines, and manual firefighting were used to prevent the fire from spreading.
The fire is now completely under control. Field workers are continuously monitoring the situation to prevent the fire from spreading again. The Chief Secretary and senior officials are reportedly monitoring the fire situation in the Nilgiri forests.
