Dambala, Feb 10: The Forest Department has taken precautionary measures to protect the 33,000 hectare Kappathagudda, a lush green forest, from fire hazards that may occur during the summer season. Fire lines have been constructed at more than 132 sensitive locations in the Kappathagudda forest reserve area under the jurisdiction of Dambala hobli in Mundargi taluk, and the department is fully prepared to prevent fires.
Fire lines have been constructed in the protected forest areas of Hirevaddatti, Doni, Bagevadi, Kalakeri and Dambala, especially in areas inhabited by animals, sensitive zones and along forest roads. Forest Department staff informed that fire prevention lines have also been installed in the forest areas adjacent to the roads constructed for the maintenance of Kappathagudda fans.
Campaign for environmental awareness
With the aim of preventing fire in Kappathagudda, volleyball tournaments have been organized, hundreds of stomach bags, batteries, and steel water bottles have been distributed to the shepherds, and felicitation programs have been organized for the achievers of Dambal Hobli and Mundaragi area. This awareness campaign, led by Gadag District Senior Forest Officer Santoshkumar Kenchappa and Mundaragi Zone RFO Manjunath Megalamani, has gained public recognition by spreading the message that the environment is the power of man.
Shepherds’ WhatsApp group
Four WhatsApp groups have been created, consisting of 400 shepherds from Kalakeri, Dambal, Bagewadi, and Hirevaddati areas. As soon as the shepherds inform about a fire in any area, a team of more than 20 personnel will immediately rush to the spot and take up the task of extinguishing the fire. In addition, a six-member special team will conduct a CCTV camera inspection to identify miscreants and take legal action.
Distribution of kits to forest guards
Forest staff and fire watchers involved in fire prevention operations have been distributed batteries, T-shirts, pants, water bottles, shoes and bags for night use.
Surveillance of CCTV cameras: Dangers caused by miscreants, foolish rituals and fans. To prevent incidents of arson by some people under the pretext of making vows or foolish rituals, surveillance through two drones and cameras have been installed in important areas. Strict monitoring has been carried out in view of the possibility of fire accidents due to short circuits in wind turbines (fans).
Legal action
Fire lines have been constructed at 132 places in preparation for fire prevention. Officers, staff and fire watchers will work day and night until the summer ends. All precautionary measures have been taken to prevent fire in Kappathagudda. Kappathagudda Forest Zone Officer Manjunath Megalamani says that strict legal action will be taken against the miscreants who start fires.
Cooperation is necessary
It is not enough for the Forest Department to work alone to save Kappathagudda. The concern of environmentalists and the cooperation of the people are essential. Gadag District Deputy Conservator of Forests Santoshkumar Kenchappanar said that everyone should join hands to protect the flora of Kappathagudda, which is known as the oxygen factory.