Careless farmers can trigger forest fires

ADILABAD: Forest officials have asked agriculturists on fringes of forests in Adilabad district to be careful while preparing lands for their next planting. What some farmers do is burn agricultural residue on their land. However, if they are not careful during this process, they may cause fire in nearby forests.

Farmer Rajaiah of Bheempur mandal said there are many villages located on fringes of forests. When farmers are not careful while burning residual crops on their lands, they end up causing forest fires, he pointed out.

In view of soaring temperatures, forest department is already undertaking preventive measures to control forest fires. Forest lines are being forest and field-level staff are keeping a close watch on forest fires.

Forest officials want their agriculture counterparts to create awareness among farmers on how fires lit by them can cause forest fires. They want farmers to keep water ready when lighting up their lands, so that in case fire spreads, it can be easily doused.