Fire prevention lines come up at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

As there is a heavy frost in the hills, the grass and other greenery have begun to wither. According to a Forest department staff, “Once if they get completely dried, there is a high possibility of man-made fires to break out. Even a single fire may destroy hundreds of acres of jungles and cause huge damage to wildlife diversity. Hence works are underway to remove the withered plants and create a fire line.”

According to the Forest department, the fire line or fire prevention line is clearing of bushes to a particular breadth and length as it helps in preventing the spread of fire from one area to another in case of an outbreak. Many staff was busily engaged in removing shrubs on both the sides of Theppakadu national highways.

The creating of fire prevention line works is first carried out along the national highways. “Once they get over, similar fire lines will be drawn in forest areas identified to be more prone for fire outbreaks. Many times, the presence of fire lines have helped in controlling the raging fire in the forests. All the works will get over before the onset of summer season, where there is a high probability of fire outbreaks in the jungle,” said an officer.