Mulugu forest shows recovery a year after cyclone-like storm; Manala villagers protest over tree felling
HYDERABAD: A year after a freak rain and windstorm flattened vast stretches of forest in Mulugu district, fresh growth is returning to the damaged tracts. But in neighbouring Rajanna-Sircilla, protests broke out on Saturday as villagers accused forest staff of conniving in largescale felling of eucalyptus trees.
Mulugu forest recovering after storm damage
The storm on August 31, 2024, described by officials as a “rare overland cyclone”, hit with wind speeds of about 130 km per hour. It uprooted around 50,000 trees across 330 hectares of forest bisected by the Tadwai–Medaram road.
Workers salvaged timber from 17,000 trees and shifted it to the district depot. They left other fallen species on the ground to decompose naturally and enrich the soil.
“Many trees lost their crowns, but today we see them sprouting fresh branches and leaves. The regeneration is remarkable,” said Mulugu district forest officer (DFO) Rahul Jadhav. He added that a survey is under way to record which species are regenerating.
To support recovery, the department has removed invasive weeds such as lantana, undertaken fire management, and begun fencing the roadside stretch of the forest. A watchtower and checkpost have also been set up to prevent wood theft.
Manala villagers detain forest officials
In contrast, unidentified persons cut thousands of eucalyptus trees in Manala village of Rudrangi mandal, Rajanna-Sircilla district, on Saturday while attempting to encroach on forest land on Friday night.
Villagers detained forest officials and police at the gram panchayat office, alleging that the felling took place with the knowledge or encouragement of the department. They demanded arrests of those responsible and insisted that the divisional forest officer visit the spot.
The protesters submitted a letter to the district collector, saying officials had already encroached on large tracts of forest land due to negligence. They also sought clear demarcation of revenue and forest boundaries, particularly after authorities divided Manala into nine gram panchayats.
Police intervene, officials released
Circle inspector G Venkateshwarlu said police rushed to the village after officials were confined. He inspected the area and found that some tribals had dug wells and laid pipelines under the guise of podu cultivation.
He directed the forest department to take up an afforestation drive and assured villagers that police would help protect the forest. The assurance persuaded the protesters to release the detained officials. “The situation is now under control. Police will continue to cooperate to safeguard the forest,” the inspector said. Repeated attempts to reach senior forest officials for comment were unsuccessful.
