Telangana: Chenchus to help check forest fires in Amrabad Tiger Reserve
Hyderabad: Forest fires are a common occurrence in forests across the State during summer and cause severe damage and destruction. This year to prevent and control forest fires in its limits, Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) is roping in local Chenchus and utilizing their services. To begin with, awareness is being created among the local Chenchus […]
Hyderabad: Forest fires are a common occurrence in forests across the State during summer and cause severe damage and destruction. This year to prevent and control forest fires in its limits, Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) is roping in local Chenchus and utilizing their services.
To begin with, awareness is being created among the local Chenchus regarding maintenance of fire lines and other aspects. Towards this, ATR is temporarily employing the Chenchus for the season to work in respective Pentas (hamlets) in the reserve forest.
Generally, a few forest fire incidents are reported in January. Significantly this year not a single incident has been reported from ATR so far and officials are taking no chances. About 600 km of fire lines have been laid in the reserve.
The Forest Department officials are also learning about traditional knowledge of Chenchus in prevention and control of forest fires, said a senior official from ATR.
A team of about 45 to 50 Chenchus were being appointed in each Penta to work as fire watchers. They were monitoring the fire lines, besides maintaining them and reporting to the base camp officials.
This move is serving in two ways. While, the local Chenchus are getting to earn decent income during the season, forest department would effectively monitor fire lines and take up measures accordingly, in case of any incident.
In addition to these measures, ATR is procuring fire blowers and handing over them to Chenchus. They are being trained to operate the devices and maintain them properly.
The objective was to ensure timely intervention and effective way of controlling the fires. At present, in case of any fire, it takes about two to three hours for the officials to reach the spot and douse the flames, said the official.
Since Chenchus will be monitoring significant area in each Penta, they can reach the spot immediately and control the fire, the official added.
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