A hapless tiger reserve Palamu urges SP latehar to first stop security forces setting afire forest in buffer area of this tiger reserve along with making it easy for the fire watchers, agni surakchha dal activists and member of eco development committee to rush to fire sites for control of it as security forces are throwing spanner into it by way of preventing fire watchers and others from dousing the forest fire.
Sources said the ranger of Bareysarn has given a written report to DFO buffer about two incidents of fire in forest which was not only caused by the security forces but they also stopped fire watchers and other members from containing and controlling the fire citing reasons that anti naxal operations are in full swing therein the area.
Sources said DFO buffer Mahalinga has written a letter to SP latehar Dhanjay K Singh on 17.4.2017 in this regard where in DFO buffer has exhorted the SP to restrain his security forces from indulging in such activities and also to pave way for fire protection managers of PTR to act to contain and control fire.
Sources said security forces are causing fire to have high visibility and to smoke out the Maoists hiding in the jungle.
However this fire has its adverse impact on wild life’s movement and habitat.
Sources said the incidence of two fire in the Bareysarn range which was noticed on April 10 and 11 went untreated because of the security forces which just did not allow PTR people to douse it.
DFO buffer is said to have written letter to SP latehar on April 17 wherein the official has quoted National Green Tribunal which brands all forest fire as ‘disaster’ for environment and tragically PTR’s buffer area is plagued with this disaster.
Sources said DFO buffer’s allusion to NGT is further to impress and convince the SP latehar to help save and protect wild life habitat.
Sources said the centre of anti Maoist offensive is Kujrum latu and Teesiya which is a maximum habitat zone of wild life and here the foot fall of troops has robbed of the wild life of their existence.
Chief conservator of forest cum field director M P Singh confirming DFO buffer’s letter to SP latehar said ‘ It is high time that security forces should understand the problem besetting this PTR as once the movement pattern of wild life and their habitat get disordered or remain disturbed it has a long lasting adverse impact and effect on the wild life and then restoration of wild life to order is just unthinkable’.
Field director said he would apprise the PCCF, home secretary and principal secretary forest environment & climate change department of this situation.