Fire that destroys the forest
Few days ago 300 cars were reduced to cinders in Bangalore and this news was covered by the media.
Since this accident happened at the Aero show organised under the aegis of defence ministry, naturally a lot of apprehensions were raised about the security arrangements.
Simultaneously, fire head begin to district the world famous tiger corridor in the state, Bandipur burning hectares of forest to ashes. The fire that burnt the forest did not get as much importance as the fire that burnt the cars.
We have put forest fire under the list of natural disaster. Since the trees, animals and birds that get burnt to death in this fire do not fight any elections even politicians are not too interested in this occurrence.
As a result of this forest fire continuous to destroy a cause of forests every year. Last year forest in Chikmagalur and Nagarhole were destroyed by the fire. we have clearly escaped our responsibility by putting this under natural calamity list.
it is time we understood that forest fire is not just a phenomenon but also a dimension of politics in India. Clearly, human hands are working behind this forest fire. Corporate forces see forest as an unending treasure of riches and hence they need an undeterred access into the forest.
Playing into their hands, even the supreme court recently gave a verdict desirable to them and has ordered for the eviction of forest dwellers. The number of tribals who live inside forests and will be forcibly evicted runs into lakhs. The judiciary has dealt a strong blow to the tribals who worship the forest around them and live there in harmony with nature.
Tribals had posed a big challenge to the looters of forest. Now the stumbling block has been removed to make things convenient for the corporate forces.
This is an indication that the forest fire will be even more destructive in the coming days. The human hand in forest fire has come to light many a times in the past. Forest fire rages hard when the combination of corporate vested interests, local politics and responsibility of forest officials works together.
There are times when the forest staff would have played a major role in starting the fire. After having helped the timber smugglers take away the riches, they clear the information without traces by starting a fire. Sometimes an artificial creation of fire helps remove the tribals and force them to migrate elsewhere.
Lakhs of tribals have been made homeless by many such forest fires in this country. Or a fight between forest smugglers sometimes concludes in a forest fire getting started. There are vested interest who start a forest fire to settle scores with forest officials.
On one hand while there are many who start a fire in the forest on the other there are many politicians who warm their hands in this fire.
In North eastern states forest often catches fire mysteriously when the corporates need to enter it. There are evil forces that use a forest fire to start something as destructive as a mining activity in the middle of a forest.
this cruelty by corporates has forced the forest dwellers in North eastern India to take weapons in their hands to be able to fight them. all illegal activities happening in the forest have also given rise to this fire. And it is not like the governments are oblivious to this fact.
Sometimes the governments would have played a role in encouraging this directly or indirectly. Which is why the country witnesses lakhs of acres of forest being burnt year after year rather helplessly.
Forest is not just about the trees. The animals the insects the birds all of them share a bond of coexistence in this. Fire breaks this chain rather cruelly and abruptly. This in a way is the destruction of human beings as well. And when the fire rages inside the forest, the humankind loses some really precious herbs and medicinal plants.
It is not sufficient to estimate the loss of lives and trees in terms of money. Instead, we need to focus on the bond they share with the ecology.
Forests help maintain the overall atmosphere and temperature. Nature loses its balance when the forests are destroyed. The man will have to bear the brunt of this year after year. This is already happening. Though the forest fire is becoming news year after year the governments are not able to have proper system of tackling in place.
When fire rages across hundreds of acres of forest, can a handful of staff help control or douse it?
Why are the governments hesitating to use modern technology such as the helicopters repellents across the line of fire and stop it from spreading further?
Governments talk about starting new forests. What we do not have any plan to stop the existing forest from being destroyed further. The governments respond only after the fire has destroyed fast tracts of forest. They announce a few schemes that never get implemented.
At least the Bandipur forest fire must serve as a lesson to the government.
The forest staff need to be trained in modern techniques to check the fire. Forest department needs to possess helicopters to be able to take up rescue operations on immediate basis.
Government should set aside more funds for this purpose of the realisation that the cities won't survive without forests. Forest staff work under a sense of threat from smugglers who raid the forests. In this backdrop the number of forest staff needs to be increased along with providing them some modern gadgets.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
