Campfires banned in Yercaud to prevent forest fires this summer

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is taking various precautionary measures to prevent forest fires in Salem district, including a ban on campires for two months: April and May.

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is taking various precautionary measures to prevent forest fires in Salem district, including a ban on campires for two months: April and May.

Forest fires generally occur in the district during the summer season, from the end of March to May, especially in the reserve forest areas of Kanjamalai, Yercaud, Karumandurai, Attur, and Danishpet. This year, based on the instructions from the Union Forest Ministry, the forest officials in the district have taken various preventive measures — from awareness programmes to continuous monitoring using drones.

Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) R. Selvakumar said that several awareness programmes regarding forest fires were being conducted for people living in villages near the forests. Moreover, firelines — strategically cleared strips of land that act as a barrier to prevent the spread of wildfires — were being created in the reserved forest areas. This year, firelines were created and maintained for 185 km.

Firewatchers have been engaged in fire-vulnerable areas, and village forest committee (VFC) members were being involved in fire awareness programmes, the official said.

To prevent water scarcity, steps are being taken to fill up tubs, small ponds, water troughs, and water harvesting structures available in the forest areas for the benefit of animals. So far, 336 water augmentation structures are available in the Salem Forest Division.

Pamphlets on forest fire prevention are also being distributed to tourists visiting Yercaud, and regular patrolling is being carried out by the field staff, Mr. Selvakumar added.

Salem District Collector R. Brindha Devi said that the forest areas in the district would be monitored using nine drones. During the summer season, forests will easily catch fire, Ms. Devi said, adding that action would be taken against those who do not follow the ban on campfires.