Mudumalai Tiger Reserve closed for tourists after fire

 As many as five man-made fires broke out in Moyar, Achakarai, Bokkapuram, Singara and Mandradiyar forest areas in The Nilgiris over the last two days.

The forest department managed to put off four fires, while the one at Mandradiyar, which started on Saturday continues to rage destroying large swathes of the jungle. Though over 100 staff of the forest department are on their toes to control the fire from spreading further, the fire continues to be fuelled byheavy winds.

As the fire reached out to elephant camp at Theppakadu, the jumbos were shifted to a safer place nearby.  A senior official said that other wild animals would shift to neighbouring forests due to fire outbreak and there may not be anyanimal deaths.

“Since all these fires happen to be man-made, the forest department has decided to shut MTR for tourists. The vehicle safari also remains cancelled temporarily. A decision on re-opening the MTR will be taken after it becomes safe and free from fires,” said an official of the forest department.  

Meanwhile, the forest department has also announced a cash reward of Rs 10,000 to any person giving tip-off on miscreants causing forest fire in the forests.

“Currently we are conducting an investigation to nab the persons involved. A probe is also underway in coordination with the forest department in Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary to know if the fires were a series of co-ordinated acts by the miscreants,”said the official.

A similar fire broke out in the forests along Valparai-Pollachi road side. The forest department put out the fire after long hours. This fire reportedly destroyed over two acres of forest land.