Special arrangements have ensured for safety and security of forests and wildlife in Madhya Pradesh. Though some stray minor incidents do occur, yet the overall situation is far better than other states. Recently, some vested interests have been floating rumours about wildfire, but SMS News and Features investigated the matter and found that a section of newspapers blew minor incidents out of proportion. Recently, a section of Press carried the news that fire kept raging for three days in Bandhavgarh National Park. Enquiries revealed that it was actually a very minor incident and the fire was doused within a couple of hours. Sources said sometimes anti-social elements ignite fire in the National Park out of vengeance when they fail to succeed in their nefarious designs due to constant surveillance on illegal grazing and unauthorised collection of small forest produce. In such cases, fire is doused within a couple of hours. Under such circumstances, it is near to impossible that fire might have raged in Bandhavgarh National Park for the three days. According to official sources, large-scale arrangements have been made to protect forests from fire in Bandhavgarh National Park. As per these arrangements, the work of fire-line cutting and putting the same to flame has been completed in December 2007 and January 2008. Since then a good number of personnel has been posted for protection from fire at the Park, which include 119 labourers appointed through Van Samiti, 55 labourers belonging to Tiger Production Force and 387 regular labourers. These labourers are working with the cooperation of regular officers and employees of Bandhavgarh National Park. All the labourers engaged for firefighting have been provided fireproof shoes and water bottles so that they remain safe while dousing fire and do not face drinking water problem. Additional vehicles have been made available in all the regions, which are used to rush firefighters to the fire affected area. These vehicles also carry water tanks to ensure supply of drinking water to the firefighters. As soon as a fire incident takes place, its information is relayed to the headquarter and concerning regional teams through 20 wireless stations of Bandhavgarh National Park and mobile wireless sets provided to the patrol parties. Additional force is also rushed to the site of fire incident if needed. Villagers' cooperation is also sought. Besides, constant watch is maintained from 28 fire watchtowers so that concerning firefighting team can be informed soon after an area catches fire. The firefighting teams rush to the fire incident site within half an hour and start dousing the flames. So far, 90 fire incidents have taken place in 450 hectare area Bandhavgarh National Park in which only dry leaves and grass have burnt. On every occasion fire has been doused within hours and no damage has been done to any wild animal. In one of the incidents, a culprit was held whose case is pending Meanwhile, the state government has issued instructions for providing special protection to wild animals near sources of water. In this connection, all the Territorial Conservators of Forests (Wildlife) have been directed to identify the water sources where wild animals come to quench their thirst and make special arrangements for wild animals' protection there. It may be mentioned that the number of water sources has become limited in the wake of scanty rainfall and present hot spell. As a result, wild animals from near and afar turn up at the remaining water sources in large numbers for drinking water. This has increased the apprehension that poachers might kill these animals. The Forest Department received information that some rural criminals and stray dogs are killing the wild animals that approach a drinking water source near a habitat. In the light of this information, instructions have been issued in the state to ensure special protection for wildlife. The instructions stipulate that possibilities of developing new sources of water should be explored through special efforts and proposal thereof be sent for approval. Such sources of water should be developed with a rapid pace for immediate use. Instructions have also been issued to seek cooperation of local Van Samitis for providing protection to wild animals at the water sources and also convene a meeting of the committee to apprise villagers of the danger looming large over the wildlife. Special arrangements for Fire Watchers have also been made in all the forest ranges in view of increased chances of fire incidents during summer. The Fire Watchers have been equipped with telecommunication gadgets, binoculars and patrol kits etc. They have been instructed to give special attention to water sources and incorporate them in their patrolling schedule. Instructions have also been issued to post forest employees, watchmen and members of Van Samitis for protection of existing as well as newly-developed sources of water. These personnel would remain present specially when the wild animals approach the water sources for quenching their thirst. Instructions have been issued to meet the expenses on honorarium and awards to rural contributors in the protection of wildlife from the budget of the year 2008-09. Madhya Pradesh Van Suraksha Sahayak Ko Dey Vittiya Sahayata Niyam-2006 (Madhya Pradesh Rules regarding financial assistance to forest protection assistants-2006) have been framed by the state government for extending financial and other assistance to labourers working for the Forest Department, members of Van Samitis and informers etc. Villagers must be apprised of the provisions of these rules so that they always remain eager to contribute their mite in the protection of forests and wildlife. Territorial Conservators of Forests have been instructed to apprise Forest Rangers, Deputy Forest Rangers and all other officers of the range of these directives. They must also be instructed to ensure cooperation of local villages in wildlife protection by convening meetings of various Van Samitis. By Muslim Saleem