In an ecological disaster, an estimated 50,000 trees spread over about 500 acres in the forests of Telangana's Mulugu district in were uprooted following a huge gale and a sudden cloud burst. This happened on the night of August 31 because of local climatic conditions that suddenly developed there due to cloud formation, a senior forest official said on Wednesday. "We never saw such an incident in our lives," the official told PTI. The massive wind and water gushing (in a particular width and length) destroyed the forest, and big trees were uprooted.
The other reason why the trees got uprooted was that the plants do not develop a very deep root system as moisture and nutrition are easily available for them in the area, he said. In some places, the root system is developed within one foot, he added.
50,000 Trees Uprooted in Telangana Forest
The official said though cloud bursts have been reported from places like Himachal Pradesh, he has not come across damage to the forest on such a large extent of land. The forest department would prepare a report and also urge experts or agencies like the Meteorological department to throw light on the reasons for the weather phenomenon that led to the massive damage to the forest, he said and added that they would plan on how to rejuvenate the area to bring back the glory.
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Though the forest is home to bison and spotted deer, no wildlife casualty has been reported, he said. Telangana Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Anasuya expressed anguish over the loss of trees on about 500 acres. She said in a release that widespread destruction would have occurred had the incident occurred in villages.
She said Union Ministers from Telangana G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar should depute special teams from the Centre to ascertain the reasons for the incident. The Centre should sanction special funds to rejuvenate forests where the trees got uprooted, she said.