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Hyderabad: In a rare and devastating weather event, thousands of trees, potentially over one lakh, were uprooted across 200 hectares in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary. The affected area lies between the Medaram-Pasara and Medaram-Tadvai roads, with the damage described by environmentalists as a squall. While no loss of wildlife was reported, the ecological impact is severe and difficult to quantify, according to experts.
The incident, which occurred on August 31, has drawn the attention of state officials, including Panchayat Raj Minister Dansari Anasuya, also known as Seethakka. On Wednesday, she expressed shock at the magnitude of the devastation, stating that they had never expected such widespread tree loss, with estimates putting the number at around one lakh.
Trees of Various Species Bear the Brunt
Forest officials reported that a variety of trees, including neem, banyan, and peepal, were heavily impacted. Although leopards have been observed in the sanctuary, which spans over 81,200 hectares, they rarely frequent the affected area.
Experts from the forest department and environmentalists alike expressed astonishment at the scale of destruction. Elusing Meru, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Protection and Vigilance), called it an extraordinarily rare event for Telangana, attributing it to high winds and a possible cloudburst. Meru added that special teams from the forest department were assessing the full extent of the damage.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that the event resembled a localised tornado effect. Senior IMD officials explained that the phenomenon was likely a result of convective activity associated with thunderstorms and a strong pressure deficiency.
Environmentalists Weigh In
Environmental expert Donthi Narasimha Reddy described the weather event as a squall, which is an intense but brief storm involving sudden gusts of wind. He noted that such conditions are common in regions like West Bengal and the northeastern parts of India but are highly unusual in Telangana.
Reddy estimated that the wind speeds could have exceeded 90 kmph, given the extent of the destruction. He further explained that the uprooted trees were part of a plantation, not a natural forest. These trees, being less than 10 years old, were not as deeply rooted as older, more resilient forest trees that are over 50 years old and can withstand high winds.
Government Response and Action
Minister Seethakka wasted no time in contacting key forest officials, including RM Dobriyal, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Kaleshwaram Chief Conservator M Prabhakar, and Mulugu District Forest Officer (DFO) Rahul Jadhav Yadav. She urged them to conduct a thorough investigation and provide a detailed report on the damage. Seethakka also appealed to Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay to raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav, emphasizing the need for immediate federal attention.
The forest department, using drone technology, has begun assessing the loss, and a comprehensive report is expected. Preliminary findings have confirmed the vast extent of the destruction, with a field survey currently underway to gather more precise data.
Additionally, Seethakka noted that some rare medicinal plants were also destroyed during the event, compounding the ecological loss.
Investigations Underway
The DFO, who visited the site alongside other senior officials, confirmed that the event was likely triggered by localized high wind pressure and heavy rains, leading to soil erosion and tree uprooting. The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and the IMD have been called upon to investigate the incident further. The exact cause of the weather phenomenon will be determined after their inquiries are completed.
As of now, the ecological and environmental damage continues to be assessed, with the forest department working to understand the full scope of this rare and destructive event.
