Mysuru: Emphasising the need for greater technical proficiency, and the imminent need to device effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will help forest department personnel tackle emergencies, chief conservator of forests (CCF), Mysuru circle Ambadi Madhav on Sunday drew attention to the department’s requirements for better equipment to deal with wildfires. Madhav’s remarks assume enormous significance since it is less than a week since the flames of a fire that engulfed vast tracts of Bandipur Tiger Reserve were finally doused.Thousands of hectares in the Bandipur reserve, which is home to scores of tigers, were reduced to ashes by the fire, much to the chagrin of the forest department, which had been working tirelessly over the past few weeks raising awareness among those living on the periphery of the jungle about the issue. Although three people have already been arrested for igniting the inferno, Madhav stressed the need for supplementing the efforts of the personnel with advanced technological tools such as drones and hi-tech fire engines. “However, nearly 40% of the posts in the forest department in Mysuru circle are lying vacant. This is an equally grave concern that needs to be addressed immediately,” said Madhav.Among the technological advancements that he would like to see in place on the ground, Madhav said that gadgets that can provide officials accurate information about atmospheric conditions, particularly about heat and direction of wind would add much-needed teeth to the force. “Besides, we need to train more personnel on the ground. When range officers are posted in the forest, particularly those in the lower rungs, we must ensure that they have sufficient field experience, and are in possession of knowledge about wildlife. Also, they should be able to mingle with the locals, and establish cordial relations with them since that will keep all channels of information open,” the CCF said.Returning to the subject of SOPs later during his address, Madhav said, “Framing foolproof SOPs will prepare officials to react to emergencies effectively. SOPs will help delineate jurisdiction of a section of officers, and even when the people in these pockets of the forest might change, the area under their ambit will remain the same. If we have SOPs, it will help officers discharge their duties soon after they assume charge, despite not being familiar with the land.” The CCF added that he would soon convene a meeting of all the senior officials to discuss the next course of action, and the measures needed to be taken in order to prevent a disaster of such magnitude. “We will submit a proposal to the government requesting drafting a programme wherein field-level officers are sent to foreign countries for training,” Madhav said.Additional principal chief conservator of forests and member-secretary of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) BP Ravi said that, not unlike personnel of the army, foresters must prowl the forest, and must be acquainted with procedures to deal with all sorts of emergencies. “As long as there is human inhabitation near forests, we cannot prevent fires. But, we can put in place precautions to mitigate the problem. Forest conservation is not about knowledge, or how one articulates one’s plan for protecting it. It is about action. It is about what you do when nobody is watching. That is the real part of conservation,” said Ravi.Ravi also stressed the need for foresters to gather intelligence from local cops, who were in touch with the locals. “They also need to have information on hand to contact NGOs, volunteers and other experts,” he added.Fallen forester rememberedMadhav, who participated in the World Wildlife Day celebrations organised at the Aranya Bhavan, paid homage to late Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and former chief of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve S Manikandan , who was trampled to death by an elephant during an operation. Forest department officials, wildlife activists and other guests spoke about his priceless contribution to conservation, and his dedication to the job on the occasion. Forest department officials, meanwhile, requested that a seminar be held every year in the memory of Manikandan. Ravi assured them of all the required support, including the use of the amphitheatre in Mysuru Zoo.Hazards of river linking highlightedA mush spoken about venture, and touted as a solution to water crises across the country, linking of rivers is an idea that has always divided opinion. Wildlife activist Senani, for one, believes that linking of rivers will bode ill for aquatic life in the country. “If we link rivers, aquatic ecosystem will not revive forever,” said Senani, also voicing concerns over mining barons seeking to ravage the Western Ghats for minerals. “The rivers born in the Western Ghats provide water to more than 40 crore people. If steps are not taken to protect these forests, people in these areas will face an unprecedented water crisis,” he warned.

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