IDUKKI,
The Hindu, February 27, 2016
The Hindu, February 27, 2016
Wildfire destroyed forest wealth across 50 hectares of land in the Pothadimala area in the Marayur sandalwood division on Friday.
The fire, which broke out at 11 a.m. in the lower area of Pothadimala, consumed the dried-out vegetation and spread to a large area.
A 50-member team, including forest officials, watchers, and the local people, reached the spot and brought the fire under control by 5 p.m. Estimates of the loss caused to the forest, including sandalwood trees, would be available by Saturday, said a senior official of the sandalwood division.
With the mercury soaring, wildfires in the grasslands soon spread to the sandalwood grown areas. In the 64 sq km area of sandalwood forest, 14 sq km has natural sandalwood. However, sandalwood is grown in other areas too.
Though fire lines have been cleared and more watchers have been appointed during the summer season to prevent wildfires, the large area of forest makes it difficult to control the fire. There are also increased chances of wildfires as the forest is in the rain shadow area. Forest watchers are camping in the area.
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