Following the forest fire in Theni, the State government has initiated work on preventing fire accidents in urban forests in the city and the suburbs ahead of summer.
Civic agencies, Forests Department and other agencies have been asked to clear dried-up branches that increase the risk of fire accidents.
On Thursday, workers were seen clearing such branches in various parts of the city and suburbs, including the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur. Employees of the park said many of the trees that were uprooted during Cyclone Vardah were not cleared so far. “But the forest fire in Theni has alarmed the officials now. They are in a hurry to clear the dried-up branches.”
However, officials of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park said the clearing of branches was part of “routine work by zoo workers supported by Forest department staff.”
Preparatory work
“Apart from these works, we have special preparatory work gearing up for summer. We are clearing green waste and providing additional shelters for animals during summer,” said the official. As the mercury rises, animals refuse to come out of their spaces. So officials at the park were taking measures to help the animals beat the heat. With the commencement of summer vacation, the park is expected to see a huge increase in footfalls, the official said, adding that they would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the public and the animals do not suffer.
