CM blames forest officials for frequent wildfires
- Forest fire is caused by officers’ neglect and staying at district centres without going to forest.
- Forest Minister should instruct higher officials to go to forest to prevent forest fire, says CM.
- Wild animals are straying into villages, they should be provided with fodder and water at forest.
FollowThe Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his dissatisfaction that forest officers are spending time at district head quarters and not going into the forest, their neglect is causing forest fire. Inaugurating a 'Vana Mahotsava' on Sunday, under the Forest for Water programme at the Freedom Park by the Forest Department, the Chief Minister said unpleasant events are happening at the forest due to the neglect of Forest Officers. The Forest minister must give notices to the higher officials to go to the forest. Public awareness must be created regarding forest fire, he said, reports Kannada Prabha.
Due to severe drought in the past 6 months, tanks and canals in the forest area have gone dry and wild animals are straying into human habitat, causing loss of lives and crop. Forest Department must make arrangement to provide fodder and water to wild animals at the forest, he said.
According to rules, 33.33 per cent of the total land should have forest cover. However in the State, only 22 per cent forest is left. To make up for the shortage, action must be taken to grow trees at vacant uncultivated land, school premises and government lands. Acute water shortage due to drought is a major problem. In Kodagu and Malenadu scanty rains this year is adding to woes. With that we have to release water to Tamil Nadu as per tribunal orders. All problems will be solved only if forest area is increased, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Forest Minister Ramanath Rai said, two lakh families have been provided gas connection to prevent them from depending on forest for firewood. Also, this year, the profit earned from sale of forest produce is Rs 780 crore. In order to prevent man animal conflict, 40 km of barricade has been constructed using railway tracks to stop elephants crossing over, he explained.
The department had put around 1000 chairs for the programme but only about 200 students participated which irked the chief minister to no end. He asked the forest officials as to why there was such less attendance for the programme. This is an awareness programme, but it was strange that many failed to turn up for it. Gandhi Nagara MLA Dinesh Gundurao, local corporator Latha Kumar and Forest Development Corporation vice president Padmini Ponnappa were present.
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