Wildfire: 4K acres destroyed, 4 held

BANGALORE: Four persons have been detained in connection with the recent wildfires that destroyed as much as 4,000 acres of forest land, said Forest Minister C P Yogeshwar. The forest department has detained the four miscreants who were allegedly behind the fires and have been handed over to the police for investigation. “I promise stern action against the culprits if they are found guilty,” he said.Making a statement during Zero Hour in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, the minister informed that a major fire in the Nagarahole National Park had destroyed vegetation in over 1,500 hectares. He added that 972 hectares of forest land was destroyed in Bandipur National Park region due to ground fire.“However, no wildlife deaths were reported in any of these regions,” he said.