Wildlife watchers, foresters thanked for tackling fires

Coimbatore: The increase in the number of wildfires is keeping forest personnel on their toes, additional principal chief conservator of forest and principal of the Central Forest Academy for State Forest Service V Thirunavukarasu said on Saturday.
Addressing the participants of Special Enviro Meet, organised by the Central Academy for State Forest Service and NGO Osai to celebrate the International Day of Forests on March 21, Thirunavukarasu said 102 forest fire incidents were reported on a Sunday this month.
“Most of them were caused by people. Putting out forest fires is a difficult task as it takes hours to reach the spot on foot. Our personnel also struggle to find the culprits who cause the fire,” he said.
“On this day, I appreciate the foot soldiers like foresters and watchers. A forester and a watcher take care of each forest beat covering a minimum of 1,000 hectares. They deserve to be appreciated,” the official said.
When the forest department was formed by the British in 1856, the role of forest officials was only to protect forest resources, Thirunavukarasu said. “Forest was a key source of income for the administration. Now, the role of the forest department is diversified and we are into tourism, conservation, animal protection and preventing and putting out forest fires. I request cooperation from the public to keep the forest intact.”
Forest officials watched The Elephant Whisperers, the Oscar-winning documentary, along with students, activists and trainee forest officials.
Environmental activists including Osai secretary Avainayagan also attended the event.