20160423 India Tipeshwar RFO suspended for neglecting forest fire
India Apr 22 2016 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Tipeshwar RFO suspended for neglecting forest fire
Updated: 2016-04-23-04:35
In a move that would send a strong message to erring wildlife staff, chief conservator of forests (CCF) & field director of Pench Tiger Reserve MS Reddy on Friday suspended range forest officer (RFO) of Tipeshwar GD Lambade for negligence in responding to forest fires in the sanctuary.
Though Tipeshwar was in news for regular tiger sightings in the last couple of months, forest fires on April 18 and 19 left the sanctuary virtually bleeding with over 1,600 hectares, equivalent to 992 football fields, destroyed. It not only damaged grassy meadows but also caused ecology and biodiversity loss.
The most tragic part was that entire tiger habitat area of Shikari Road and Maregaon solar water pump side, which was most preferred by tigers, was gutted.
When contacted, Reddy confirmed that RFO Lambade has been put under suspension. “I’ve signed the order on Friday. Lambade’s charge has been handed over to a forester BM Mankar. A new RFO will be posted soon,” Reddy said.
Taking a cue from the fire tragedy, Reddy said, “I will propose to reorganize the 148 sqkm sanctuary by creating two ranges — Patanbori and Parwa. Presently, there is only one range managed by one RFO.”
Reddy said Lambade has been suspended for negligence. “It was only after local NGOs called up I learnt about the fires. When I called up divisional forest officer (DFO) BP Rathod and RFO Lambade, there was no response. There was no response to my SMS too.”
Official sources said, “The forest fire flared up at 7.20am while the RFO responded at 11.30am. The delay caused huge damage. We had given six blowers to Tipeshwar but the RFO failed to gather these blowers at the time of tragedy,” said officials.
Finally, Reddy had to send an SOS to deputy conservator of forest (DyCF) of Pandharkawda territorial division Guruprasad, who intervened with pressing over 100 labourers. Reddy too rushed to the spot and after talking to the staff found that Lambade had messed up things and decided to suspend him.
According to NGOs working in Pandharkawda, had the staff been alert, the forest fire could have brought under control on April 19 itself.
Sources said the tragedy was man-made and it is suspected that the fire was ignited by a section of villagers from Maregaon before vacating the relocated village.
Web Source: THE TIMES OF INDIA
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tipeshwar-RFO-suspended-for-neglecting-forest-fire/articleshow/51949863.cms