Vittal, Jan 20, 2016 : As per reports, a biker travelling from Kanyana to Vittal noticed the fire and immediately informed the forest department staff at Ukkuda check post. Vittal range forest officer SN Lokesh, along with other staff rushed to the spot and began extinguishing the fire.
But the strong winds hindered the operation and the fire spread to surrounding areas. The locals also helped in dousing the fire. Finally, it was after about five hours and with the help of more than 500 volunteers that the fire was doused.
About nine acres of forest land was destroyed after fire was noticed at Kalenjimale Reserve Forest near Kanthadka on Kanyana road.
The fire brigades at Bantwal and Puttur were informed about the fire, but the one that arrived from Bantwal stated that there was no proper road to reach the hills. However, the locals performed a commendable work by supplying water with the help of drums, pots and vessels; the fire was extinguishing at 2.30 in the morning; the staff of the forest department reached the spot on Monday morning with water tankers and made sure that the fire was completely doused.
Locals alleged that the Bantwal fire brigade did not provide aid in the operation. Another fire brigade was called from Mangaluru which aided in extinguishing the fire.
The man has destroyed the forest to vast and the due to the forest fire the its being destroyed in future completely.We have to save the forest as it is the wealth of the country.
The public who ever informed the Forest Department has done a appreciable job.Forests are the wealth of our country.
If the forest are destroyed this way we will have to face dangerous hazards in our coming days. Now itself there is unpredictable change in the ecological balance.
How can the Bantwal fire station be so careless in such case. If they do not respond for these things there are fit to be in service