Two fires break out in Bandipur reserve, NASA imagery captures extent

On February 18, a raging fire enveloped some parts of the Kalkere range of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR). As if on cue, the next day, fire erupted in the Gundre range of the reserve. Imagery of both the incidents has been captured by NASA satellites, showing the extent of the damage caused. In total, the incident has claimed the life of one forest guard and three other personnel sustained serious burns while combating the flames.

In this incident at Bandipur, the officials have estimated the damage to have been done to over 650 acres of forest land. Bandipur is famous for its tiger and elephant population. What is being pointed out as a source of humiliation is that these fires were so big that even NASA's satellites were able to pinpoint its location. Forest officials are of the opinion that NASA captures images of big fires, crossing the 50 acre mark and one that leads in density as well. The two fires come in that category. The proper extent of the fire and the damage caused will be known after the police completes its investigation.

Forest official T Heerala, BTR director has been quoted by the Deccan Herald as saying that he was certain the fire was caused by miscreants and that such an incident took place after one and a half years. 

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Some other officials are of the opinion that rubbing together of dry bamboo or decaying elephant dung piles could be the reason for the fire. Furthermore, there are rumours of all not being well between the BTR and the locals and maybe someone could have started a fire in retaliation. The fire at Kalkere, which began at 10am, was brought under control only in the evening and the Gundere fire which started at 9am also abated only in the evening.

Karnataka has been seeing a spate of forest fires. Previously in January this year, a major fire was reported in the DB Kuppe range of the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. Here things went out of control while making firelines, which are man-made fires to get rid of combustible material like grass to prevent the progress of a wildfire and in another incident three days later, fire engulfed the Hunsur and Bedkoli range, where attempts to create firelines went wrong.

• Bandipur Forest Reserve
• Bengaluru
• Tiger population
• forest fire in Bandipur
• NASA
• NASA captures fire images