Special Fire Control Measures in TTD Forests - DFO

Tirumala, 26 Mar. 19: With the advent of hot summer, as the incidents forest fire may occur in Seshachala angels, the TTD forest department is fully prepared to meet any contingency.

According to TTD Forest officer Sri D Phanikumar Naidu the TTD has rolled out special measures including setting up of Watch towers, fire lines and fire fighting squads to guard the forest wealth from fire accidents during hot summer months.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

He said TTD has set 40 feet high 4 watchtowers in Tirupati and 5 towers in Tirumala forest belt comprising of 2950 hectares area. A full-fledged and well-equipped forest fire fighting squad is also kept on 24x7 basis to trace the fire spots with smoke visibility. The areas under watch tower cover includes Nakkala vanka, Samidhula plots, firewood depot, SV Poor Home Nursery, in Tirupati range and Narayanagiri Padalu, Kakulakonda, windmills area, Chittekkudu (Gali Gopuram point).

FIRE GUARDS

He said two forest guards would keep watch on 24-hour basis. While fire fighting squads comprised of 80 members at Tirupati and 70 in Tirumala to keep 24 x7 watch and provided with two vehicles for each zone for faster reach of the fire spot. They use blowers to remove dry leaves and use fire engines on roadside spots.

FIRE LINES

The TTD has also dug up 49 kms of fire lines of 10x20 meters size amidst the thick shrubs and forest trees to break the spread of fire.

QUENCHING THE THIRST OF ANIMALS

TTD is contemplating to put up 45 cement water pits  (water tanks) in addition to existing in the forest belt for use to feed the thirsty wild animals.

During summer when many streams dry up, the cement pits are modelled in shape of a saucer to facilitate easy access to animals.