R S Tejus:
A recent forest fire in Gundimala village of Bailoor and Kollegala Ranges, BRT Tiger Reserve has reportedly burnt more than 500 acres of forest land, though the exact extent of the damage is still being calculated. According to sources in the forest department, the fire was brought under control quickly by the concerned Range Forest Officers. Officials say such fires have been frequent in this landscape, adding to the concern over the safety of the reserve.
In BRT Tiger Reserve’s Bailoor Range, it includes three major forest-dweller settlements: Nellikatri, Keredimba, and Gombegallu. Nellikatri is spread across around 70 acres, while Keredimba and Gombegallu together cover close to 50 acres. Sources say more than 500 people, along with cattle, live in these settlements.
INQUIRY ON
As part of the investigation into the recent fire where activists said nearly 200 hectares were burnt, forest officers carried out an enquiry in these villages. Sources say this was part of the routine investigation process to understand the possible cause of the fire. No arrests were made during this enquiry. However, the incident has once again drawn attention to the difficulties forest staff face while investigating repeated fire incidents in sensitive areas.
Another angle that officers are looking into is whether the fire may have any connection to earlier forest offence cases in the area. In January, arrests were reportedly made in connection with the illegal felling of teak trees in Gundimala village in the Bailoor Range of BRT Tiger Reserve. Officials are also examining whether there could be any link between that case and the present fire incident.
BRT, NOT A SMALL PROBLEM
The repeated fire incidents in this area show that the problem is not a small one. It is important that the government strengthens the hands of field-level forest officers, who often work in very difficult conditions to protect forest land and wildlife.
At the same time, the government should also seriously look at the possibility of voluntary relocation of settlements from sensitive forest areas, wherever feasible and with proper safeguards, support, and consent. Such steps may help reduce pressure on critical habitats and also prevent future conflict situations.
KARNATAKA’S OTHER AREAS
The wider pattern of fires across Karnataka’s forest areas is equally worrying. According to FSI data for March 2026, Cauvery recorded 6 unique fires, BRT recorded 18, and Kudremukh recorded 30, taking the total to 54 unique fires. These numbers point to a serious and widespread fire problem across important forest landscapes in the state. The concern is not limited to BRT alone. Major fires have also been reported in Cauvery Sanctuary. However, when attempts were made to contact officials there, there was no response.
In Kudremukh too, forest fire figures have become a matter of concern. Sources say there has been serious under-reporting of the damage. While official figures reportedly state that only 18 acres were burnt, sources on the ground claim that the actual area affected is more than 300 acres. The concerned Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), however, has maintained that the burnt area is only 18 acres.
STRONGER PROTECTION NEEDED
Turahalli has also seen a recent fire incident. Sources say around 5 hectares were affected there, and the fire was brought under control under the supervision of ACF Ganesh. Taken together, these incidents point to a worrying pattern across Karnataka’s forest landscapes.
Fires are breaking out in several protected and sensitive areas. In some places, there are questions over the scale of the damage. In others, the challenge lies in ensuring smooth investigation and stronger protection on the ground. Unless these issues are addressed seriously, the burden on Karnataka’s already fragile forests will only continue to grow.