Coimbatore: More than hundreds of rare plant species and small reptiles were charred in a forest fire near Marudhamalai in Coimbatore forest division on Friday.
According to a forest official, following intolerable hot climate inside the forest across the Western Ghats, most plant species and grass are dry without water in the hills.
Despite many precautionary measures, forest fires are being frequently witnessed is different parts of the forest in Coimbatore forest division and neighboring states including Kerala and Karnataka.
Forest areas inside Onapalayam and Yanaimadavu lie between the Coimbatore forest range and Poluvampatti range behind the Marudhamalai hills.
A sudden forest fire broke out in these areas on Thursday night and started to spread rapidly. On receiving information from people, a team of AP watchers rushed to the spot and tried to put out the fire. Before they could do so, the fire spread to neighboring beats and many rare and endemic plant species were gutted amid strong winds fanning the fire.
Around 100 acres of forest land along with forest trees were destroyed in the fire. Fire brigade along with Forest staff, are battling to bring the fire under control.
