Mangaluru: While the forest minister believes that forest fire is natural and needs no season, the Mangaluru divisional forest officer, in a stark contradiction, says there is nothing called as natural fire and any fire in forests is 100% induced.

The minister and the officer gave their opinion when TOI sought an explanation for the forest fire in Somanakadu, Barimale at the Charmadi in the Western Ghats on December 16.

Incidentally, Somanakadu forest area is an eco-sensitive region where three streams of the river Netravathi — Aniyooru, Sunaru and Neriya — originate. Fire in these areas is certain to hamper the prospects of the districts dependent on river Netravathi.

Dinesh Holla, convener of Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya, alleged that forest fires had become a common phenomenon over the years in summer, the reason being drying of grass. This too, he added, was because of ill-practices by man. However, he said, forest fire was witnessed in the Ghats in January last year and there was a further advancement this year.

“If it allowed to occur this way, forest fires will be seen in November next year. This indicates lack of rainfall, less water in catchment areas and increasing heat and humidity,” he said.

Holla held encroachment, cultivation of ganja and hunting that are on the rise, and night stays in resorts built illegally in reserve forest areas in the Western Ghats as culprits behind the fire on Saturday.

Rubbishing his claims, minister Rai said forest fire could also be a natural phenomenon. “Forest fire usually occurs because of dry grass… it is natural. It need not take place in summer. Even a part of my rubber plantation was on fire recently,” he said. However, there are people with vested interests who sometimes set the forest on fire, he added.

Rai was quick to say that his government had been firm on protecting the reserve forests. “The forest land has been earmarked based on geography. The government does not entertain private players on government land. We have been vacating all those who have encroached upon reserve forests in phases. Real estate owners have been waging a cold war against me for the purpose,” he said.

When contacted, divisional forest officer V Karikalan said though it is widely believed that there is 1% chance of forest fire due to a natural phenomenon, it was incorrect. “Fire forest can never be natural. It has to be induced. However, what precise activity by man led to the fire on December 16 is to be ascertained,” he said, adding that the area did not come under his jurisdiction.

Karikalan, however, said that forest fire need not happen only in summer and can trigger in December as this is the transition phase from rainy to summer seasons.