Forest fire engulfs Nallamala stretch near Srisailam road
HYDERABAD: A forest fire broke out in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve in the Nallamala forests of Nagarkurnool district on Wednesday night and continued till around 03.00 IST on Thursday.
Preliminary information suggests that nearly 60 hectares of forest were gutted in the Mannanur–Domalapenta (Brahmagiri) range under the Amrabad division.
Forest Range Officer Gurupasad rushed to the spot with 20 personnel from the Special Task Force and initiated efforts to bring the blaze under control.
Satellite alert triggers rapid response by forest staff
Speaking over the phone, Gurupasad confirmed the incident. “We alerted our staff based on satellite information and worked for nearly eight hours to control the fire. The situation is now under control,” he said.
He added that even a small ember could trigger a fresh flare-up due to prevailing winds.
Blaze spread across Tatigundala section
In a related incident, a fire broke out in the Amrabad Nallamala Brahmagiri range, gutting a large tract of woodland.
The blaze spread across the Tatigundala section, affecting Vajrala Madugu, Tavisipenta and up to the Akkamahadevi Caves. Nearly three kilometres of forest along the Srisailam–Hyderabad road were damaged, according to preliminary information. Forest department officials are continuing efforts to douse residual flames.
Forest fires have occurred several times in the Nallamala forests in the past. Most incidents were reported during summer and were attributed to human activity.
In February 2024, a fire broke out near the Nandyal–Giddalur national highway in the Nallamala region after unidentified persons allegedly set a bamboo forest on fire. Minor fire incidents have also been reported frequently in previous summers.
Officials consider such fires a threat to wildlife, the environment and local biodiversity. Hunting, tree felling and negligent burning are cited as the main causes.
Awareness drives, fire watchers deployed
The forest department is conducting awareness programmes in local villages to prevent forest fires in Nallamala. Local tribal residents have been appointed as fire watchers and trained to detect and control outbreaks.
The Nallamala forests are known for their biodiversity. However, recurring fires remain a concern for conservation authorities.
