Editorial |Forest Fires in Kodagu: Vigilance is the Need of the Season

A message board placed by the Forest Department on the Madikeri–Hunsur road near Ibnivalavadi village to create awareness about forest fires. Photo by Saritha Devaiah Ballachanda.

As summer tightens its grip over Kodagu, the spectre of forest fires once again looms large over the district’s fragile ecology. Every year, rising temperatures, dry leaf litter and human negligence combine to threaten vast stretches of forest, wildlife habitats and nearby settlements. The Forest Department’s proactive measures this season are welcome — but prevention must become a collective responsibility, not merely an administrative exercise.

The department has rightly identified vulnerable stretches such as Annekadu and the Thithimathi–Anechowkuru belt, where forests run alongside national and state highways. With more than 60 personnel deployed, fire lines drawn, and watchtowers erected in sensitive pockets like Mattigodu and Chennangi, the groundwork appears strong. The decision to position fire watchmen every 200 metres along the Anechowkuru–Hunsur route reflects seriousness. Likewise, stationing a fire brigade team near the Mathigodu forest office to cut response time could prove decisive during emergencies.

Entry gate of Rajiv Gandhi National Park, commonly known as Nagarhole National Park, on the Hunsur–Gonikoppa road. Photo by Saritha Devaiah Ballachanda.

Yet, the recurring nature of forest fires in Kodagu points to a deeper issue — human behaviour. Littering, roadside smoking, burning of waste and careless parking near dry forest edges continue to trigger avoidable blazes. Enforcement must therefore go hand in hand with awareness. Visible signage along highways, strict penalties for littering, and coordinated patrols with the police can deter negligence.

Community participation is equally critical. Local residents, estate owners and travellers must be sensitised through campaigns in schools, gram panchayats and social media. Early reporting systems, including helpline numbers prominently displayed, can prevent minor sparks from turning into disasters.

Kodagu’s forests are not merely green cover; they are water sources, climate regulators and lifelines for biodiversity. As summer begins, vigilance must not fade after initial preparations. A sustained, community-driven approach is the only way to ensure that Kodagu’s forests survive the heat — and human carelessness — intact.

To advertise on The Kodagu Express website, kindly call us at 9108795369 or mail us at thekodaguexpress@gmail.com 

If you appreciate our work, please consider supporting us with a donation. You may reach us at 9108795369 or write to thekodaguexpress@gmail.com for details on how to contribute.

Join The Kodagu Express WhatsApp Group: CLICK HERE 

Follow us on Instagram and X(Twitter)