Forest fire leads to Man-Animal conflict
As the summer started, many of forest areas are at the verge of threat of Forest fire in South Indian States. Though the summer season is just started, forest fire reports are becoming common news in print and visual medias in these days. The forest fire is more common in human habited area- in the adjoining forests either in side or on the forest fringes. This year, fire incidents are reported from forest areas including Protected Areas like Wildlife Sanctuaries, National parks and tiger reserves of the south Indian states. Large scale fire encroached in forest areas of Palakkad district including Nelliampathi forests of Nemmara forest division, Anangamala areas of Mannarkad forest division, Kava, Malampuzha areas of Palakkad forest division, etc More than 500 Hectors of natural vegetation and related wildlife lost in this year.
Where ever the forest areas are grabbed by fire, the wildlife at a large scale is suffered. Their habitats are under severe threat. It is evident that the habitat and vegetation are changing in fire affected areas. The result is loss of numerous wildlife species like smaller mammals, reptiles, bird species etc – including endemic and endangered species – in addition to depletion of biomass and related ecosystem.
It is also to be noted that, loss or altering of habitat leads to migration of wild animals to comparatively safer place in terms of food and shelter. In forest fringes, herbivore population tends to move towards human habitations and starts crop raiding and takes shelter outside main forest. This attracts carnivore population to the forest fringes and to human habitations. The result is increased Man-Animal conflict and loss of wildlife in all forms. This also leads to various social issues in the form of security etc, and so far there is no full proof solution or system is identified to tackle this issue.
S.Guruvayurappan, Co-ordinator of Wildlife protection society of India in south India told ‘Palakkad News.com’ that the organisation has taken steps to tackle the fire problem through enforcement agencies in different of various states. WPSI also has send letters and suggestions to higher forest officials in this regard. The suggestions include effective Forest fire protection through proper fire control measures by the forest department, closure period in all forest areas where tourism activities are there, activities to ensure public and support from fringe area people, interstate meeting in border forest areas.
The organisation is conducting street plays, and other educational programs in Tamilnadu, Karnataka and in Kerala – He said.
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