<p>Mysuru: Even as the summer sets in, the Forest Department gets anxious about possible wildfires. However, heavy rains with hailstones lashed the region for a few days in Mysuru region, bringing a brief respite from forest fires.</p><p>The Mysuru region comprises diverse forests - deciduous and scrub types, and protected areas such as Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (NTR) and Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR). </p><p>The Forest Department had geared up to tackle any wildfire, by creating firelines, trenches, and had deputed forest watchers, creating awareness among tribals and villagers.</p><p>A few incidents of forest fire were reported from the BRT in Chamarajanagar district - parts of Hanur and Kollegal taluks in February and March. However, the loss was minimal, as the department checked its spreading. </p><p><strong>Mini-Kashmir</strong></p><p>Parts of Chamarajanagar district - Yelandur, Kollegal and surrounding places turned into a ‘mini-Kashmir’, following severe hailstorm in mid-March. Ice pebbles had covered landscapes, roads and vehicles. </p><p>Their videos and pictures had gone viral on social media. There were hailstorms in parts of Mysuru district also, in Periyapatna and HD Kote taluks.</p>.Rains subside, strong winds wreak havoc in Kodagu, Mysuru.<p>Bandipur, Kundukere, Gopalaswamy Betta, Maddur, Moolehole, and Hediyala ranges under BTR received a good spell of rain after the Ugadi festival. The trees and shrubs that had gone dry, due to the scorching heat, have started sprouting, turning the region green.</p><p>Due to a good spell of rains for two to three days, last week, there is moisture in the soil, and small ponds have filled. This would temporarily avert forest fires. Due to the sprouting of trees and shrubs, herbivorous animals are getting sufficient fodder and water, said department staff.</p><p>The Forest Department personnel have been working hard over the past few months, due to the fear of wildfires during summer. The department has deployed additional staff on the highway and has intensified patrolling, to prevent any fire, due to irresponsible motorists throwing cigarette butts by the roadside.</p><p>According to BTR Director S Prabhakaran, there is no immediate anxiety of forest fire now, as the region received good rainfall recently. "If the region receives another good spell of rain, all ponds inside the forest will fill up and there will be no shortage of water for wild animals during summer. Besides, there will be no shortage of fodder for herbivorous animals," he said.</p><p>The Forest Department personnel have also been creating awareness among tourists at checkposts against smoking inside the forest area. </p>
<p>Mysuru: Even as the summer sets in, the Forest Department gets anxious about possible wildfires. However, heavy rains with hailstones lashed the region for a few days in Mysuru region, bringing a brief respite from forest fires.</p><p>The Mysuru region comprises diverse forests - deciduous and scrub types, and protected areas such as Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (NTR) and Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR). </p><p>The Forest Department had geared up to tackle any wildfire, by creating firelines, trenches, and had deputed forest watchers, creating awareness among tribals and villagers.</p><p>A few incidents of forest fire were reported from the BRT in Chamarajanagar district - parts of Hanur and Kollegal taluks in February and March. However, the loss was minimal, as the department checked its spreading. </p><p><strong>Mini-Kashmir</strong></p><p>Parts of Chamarajanagar district - Yelandur, Kollegal and surrounding places turned into a ‘mini-Kashmir’, following severe hailstorm in mid-March. Ice pebbles had covered landscapes, roads and vehicles. </p><p>Their videos and pictures had gone viral on social media. There were hailstorms in parts of Mysuru district also, in Periyapatna and HD Kote taluks.</p>.Rains subside, strong winds wreak havoc in Kodagu, Mysuru.<p>Bandipur, Kundukere, Gopalaswamy Betta, Maddur, Moolehole, and Hediyala ranges under BTR received a good spell of rain after the Ugadi festival. The trees and shrubs that had gone dry, due to the scorching heat, have started sprouting, turning the region green.</p><p>Due to a good spell of rains for two to three days, last week, there is moisture in the soil, and small ponds have filled. This would temporarily avert forest fires. Due to the sprouting of trees and shrubs, herbivorous animals are getting sufficient fodder and water, said department staff.</p><p>The Forest Department personnel have been working hard over the past few months, due to the fear of wildfires during summer. The department has deployed additional staff on the highway and has intensified patrolling, to prevent any fire, due to irresponsible motorists throwing cigarette butts by the roadside.</p><p>According to BTR Director S Prabhakaran, there is no immediate anxiety of forest fire now, as the region received good rainfall recently. "If the region receives another good spell of rain, all ponds inside the forest will fill up and there will be no shortage of water for wild animals during summer. Besides, there will be no shortage of fodder for herbivorous animals," he said.</p><p>The Forest Department personnel have also been creating awareness among tourists at checkposts against smoking inside the forest area. </p>