Palamu Tiger Reserve Faces Summer Forest Fire Threat: Bamboo Leaves and Mahua Collection Cited as Causes

Daltonganj: Forest fires remain a major concern for Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) during summer, with officials attributing the falling of leaves in the bamboo-rich deciduous forests as a major cause.The forest fire season usually begins from mid-Feb and lasts till mid-June, before monsoon. Sources said heavy falling of leaves increases the risk of forest fires.Kumar Ashish, deputy director of PTR’s South division, said, “The Forest Survey of India recorded and reported incidences of forest fires in many parts of Jharkhand since Feb 17. PTR has had no incidence of forest fire so far (till March 5). However, there is no reason to be happy or complacent. Officials are keeping a constant watch.”“A fleet of van jeevi didis is making rounds to make people aware about reporting forest fire to the nearest tracker or forest guard for its early control,” he said.He said, “Villagers collect flowers and fruits of mahua trees. They burn leaves at the base of mahua trees, from which fire breaks out and engulfs larger areas. It takes one burning leaf on the ground to cause a fire.”Community support is most essential for reducing and containing forest fires. Locals have more knowledge where to draw ‘fire lines’ to stop their spread, officials said.Sources said that in 2022, as many as 1,600 incidences of forest fires were recorded in PTR. According to official data, PTR recorded 676 incidences of forest fires in 2023 and 506 in 2024. There were 605 cases of forest fires in 2023 in the South division, compared to 71 cases in the North division.“In 2025, there were 482 incidences of forest fires in PTR, of which the South division had 347,” said the officer. “The South division has hilly terrain. If a fire breaks out, it continues for days.”