Palamu tiger reserve is on alert as the forest fire season has begun from February 15 till the onset of the rains. Sources said it is the surface fire that brings in destruction of the bio diversity here.
Sources said most of the episodes of the fire are accidental. Some are manmade and sometimes it is revenge fire caused by some such people who are prevented by tiger reserve officials from doing unlawful things like felling of trees or smuggling of timber etc.
Deputy Director South division Mukesh Kumar said there are 30 fire blowers in the South division of the Palamu tiger reserve. Kumar further said it is 174 kilometers long fire line in the South Division of the Palamu tiger reserve.
Fires in the tiger reserve are not extinguished with water. It is just beyond all imagination. Sources said the tiger reserve officials rope in locals to fight fire. They are paid wages on a daily basis.