Tribals in prevention of forest fires in Simlipal

Baripada, May 3: Tribals residing in villages located in the fringe areas of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) have been actively involved in the control and prevention of forest ground fires.

STR Field Director Debabrata Swain said a graded incentive has been offered to the villagers depending upon their performances to combat forest fires.

''Our strategy is to prevent forest fires, draw fire maps reflecting fire sensitive zone, deployment of fire watchers and fire fighting squads in such zones'' he said.

There was so far only one incident of forest ground fire at Baunsakhal, but the damage caused was minimal, str sources said.

In Orissa, the tribals followed the practice of shifting cultivation. They burnt down acres of forest to prepare land for agriculture but things were different in Simlipal which is home to rare species of flora and fauna.

In the summer months of April and May, one can witness thick smoke from forest fires, the sources said.

The hot sunny days and occasional gusts of wind are ideal conditions for the spread of forest fire.

The tribals clear the grounds beneath the trees with the help of the fire to collect mahua flowers, honey, arrowroot, resin and sal seeds at this time of the year.

Poachers are also benefited during this period. The wild animals are killed when they are trapped within a ''ring of fire''.

Referring to the impacts on fauna, STR Deputy Director Manoj V Nair said that the worst sufferers in the forest ground fire would be the ground nesting birds, especially Galliformes.

Simlipal has several such species like Peafowls, Red Jungle fowls, Patridges, Quails, Larks and Pipits which were badly affected in the forest fire.

Mr Nair said the 'Ranid' frogs are also burnt to death due to their limited mobility. Evergreen vegetation specific butterflies and moths which are sensitive to even minor changes to micro-habitat variations also suffer due to loss of suitable habitat.

STR sources said a massive awareness campaign has been launched in the fringe area villages in a bid to educate the people about the adverse impact of forest fires.

UNI