COIMBATORE: More than 500 personnel are battling a wildfire in the Nilgiris district that has been burning for more than 10 days, scorching nearly 5,000 acres in Parsons Valley and Pykara forest ranges. An Indian Air Force helicopter ran a few sorties on Friday using a Bambi basket to dump thousands of litres of water on the blaze. But since then heavy winds have grounded the chopper.So, firefighters and forest staff are trekking up the hilly terrain, where fire trucks can’t go, and fighting the fires the old-fashioned way — using tree branches to beat out the flames. But the harsh conditions quickly leave the firefighters exhausted and dehydrated.Even as authorities battled the main blaze, another fire was reported on Monday near Maravakandy Dam close to Moyar.Parsons Valley and Pykara forest ranges are ecologically important and home to wildlife including tigers, elephants and endemic plant species. Forest officials said many larger animals may have escaped to safer areas and are expected to return once conditions improve. Reptiles and smaller species, however, are likely to have suffered greater losses.Conservationists have expressed alarm over the destruction of shola grasslands and ancient elephant corridors, warning that the long-term environmental impact could be severe.More than 100 local volunteers are assisting frontline operations. Fire response vehicles have been stationed at key points, while crews are digging fresh fire trenches and using specially designed vehicles fitted with water hoses to stop the spread.Environment secretary Supriya Sahu said the fire is now largely under control, though operations remain active. She said teams from Salem, Trichy, Coimbatore, Sathyamangalam and the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve have been deployed to strengthen the response.
