Fire breaks out in Kadugodi forest, reason unknown, say authorities

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: A huge fire broke out in parts of the Kadugodi forest on Sunday, with dense smoke fiercely billowing from the area, according to residents and officials from the forest department.

The fire, which occurred near the premises of the International Technology Park Limited, started at 2:00 pm in the afternoon.

Residents reported that two vehicles from the Fire department rushed to the scene, and by 7:00 pm, they had successfully extinguished the fire.

An official from the forest department informed News Trail that the area where the blaze occurred is owned by Container Corporation (CONCOR), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).

"Multiple weeds, which were four feet tall, caught fire, but no trees were felled," the official said.

However, residents in the area alleged that the fire was intentionally set. An anonymous resident claimed, "This fire seems intentional. However, I was told that it was natural due to the summer heat."

The forest, reportedly spread across 40-50 acres at present, has been the subject of numerous disputes. A 2016 report states that the area opposite ITPL was a reserve forest until the 1980s.

The rapid development in the area led to a depletion of green cover. The forest underwent multiple transfers without notice to the government.

Reports indicate that around 141 acres of forest land were handed over to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) in 1972. In 2015, residents claim a company went to the Supreme Court against an order to hand over the acquired land to the forest department.

Allegedly, to retain ownership, the company delayed legal proceedings. The fire department has initiated an investigation following a filed complaint.

Fire blaze in Doddanekundi

Shortly after the fire blaze in Kadugodi, a video posted on X showed a massive fire at Doddanekundi, in the eastern part of Bengaluru, on Sunday evening. The post uploaded by @ Bnglrweatherman indicates that the fire tender is at the scene.