A. Periyasamy, I.F.S. District Forest Officer, Salem.
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is taking several measures to protect the forest areas in the State. Hon’ble Chief Minister and Hon’ble Minister of Environment and Forests, Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Conservator of Forests and District Collector are rendering their much needed support and cooperation to protect our wildlife. 
HILL RANGES OF SALEM
As far as Salem district is concerned, about 28 percent of the land areas are forests. The Shevaroys, Kalrayan, Pachamalai, Palamalai, Kolli Hills, Godumalai as well as Ganjamalai and many other mountain ranges comprise the major forest areas. There are about 20,000 tribal families living in these ranges. It is also home many large animals like the Indian Gaur, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bears, Wild Boars, Dholes and small animals like jackals, foxes and snakes which are also found in abundance.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
The summer season has begun very early in 2019. To reduce the impacts, we have taken many remedial measures through the Forest Department. Some of these include activities such as filling water in the tanks constructed for wild animals in the forest areas, fire prevention measures by appointing fire watchers and providing necessary assistance and equipments to them.
In particular, the recent forest fire has had a major impact on the wilderness in the past two to three days in Yercaud. Thus, the chances of large wild animals like Gaur, Spotted Deer and smaller ones such as Peafowl, Wild Boars and Hare coming out of the forests is more.
WILDLIFE IS OUR BIGGEST TREASURE
In Salem district, there are nine forest range divisions that can be called ‘territorial’. Out of these, the richness and abundance of wildlife is found in the Shevaroys, Kalrayan, Pachamalai, Godumalai and Ganjamalai. Due to the recent forest fires, there are more chances and possibilities of wild animals coming out of the forests. It is our most important duty to protect the wild animals. Hence, the cooperation of the general public to protect the wildlife is essential and we all must join hands for the good cause. All the wildlife is of this people’s government wealth. It is the people’s natural wealth. In fact, they are the biggest treasure of our country.
All the animals are protected species according to Wildlife Protection Act 1972. They should not be harassed, harmed or driven by any means. Our biggest goal is to send them safely into the wilderness when they are out of the way. The District Administration has done a great job to protect the forest from the fires in the past two to three days. It was through the public cooperation and help that we were able to control this fire.
HOW DO FOREST FIRES OCCUR?
During summer, forest fires can occur by natural means or artificially and can also be a man-made one. If we look at the naturally occurring forest fires, during the monsoons of rainy season, the lightning may hit the dry forest patches and may trigger the fire. It could also occur due to rocks tumbling and rolling over or when two of the dry bamboos get brushed with each other.
MAN-MADE FOREST FIRES IN SALEM
For our area (Salem), natural forest fires are rare. If you see the artificially occurring ones, it could be caused due to the power transmission electric lines that pass through the forests or due to the sparks coming out of the vehicular engines. However, the man-made forest fires are the major ones which do serious damage. Some anti-social elements enter the forests to consume liquor, smoking and as well as cooking. The fire that they leave behind them at such times can have a devastating impact.
Do note that entering into forests is totally banned these days. We need to have this specifically in mind and must cooperate. While travelling through the forest roads, we should be very cautious and careful to make sure that no fire accidents occur to the forests. Currently, the trekking activity is banned.
VEHICULAR MOVEMENT TEMPORARILY BANNED
Vehicular movement has been temporarily banned due to the forest fires which had occurred in the last two to three days. Bamboos have a part called ‘internode’ in their middle walls. When the bamboos are burning, these internodes will explode due to the fire. When it explodes, it will shatter from one area to another. So, there are chances that it could fall on vehicles or people. Moreover, rocks and grasses are burning as we go up higher. As they burn, the rocks could break and crumble down. Even if we look yesterday, in the mountains of Yercaud, some of the rocks break and fall down. We don’t want any mishap to happen to anyone. That is the only reason why the vehicular movement is banned; it is taken as a safety measure to protect the lives of people.
On behalf of the forest department, I express my sincere gratitude and thanks to the general public, media friends, district administration, police, fire service, revenue and all other department officials for their valuable support and cooperation.
Note: This is the English version of the article ‘காட்டுத்தீயில் இருந்து காட்டைப் பாதுகாக்க உதவுங்கள்: திரு. ஆ. பெரியசாமி, இ.வ.ப. அவர்கள்‘
