forest fires on Arunachala in 2012

Forest fires on Arunachala mountain in Tiruvannamalai 2012

These are photos from the forest fire on 23-05-2012.

Govinda is giving me some instructions on how to fight the fire.

Forest fires have happened several times this year. With the help of Govinda and many locals we have sometimes been able to stop some of the fires. 

It is difficult and dangerous. And very exhausting too. With just some small branches we beat the fire out.

Just some days before we had a meeting about organising a kind of "fire-fighters-support-group". And this fire was our first 'try-out'

We got food and drinking water for the 30 locals, who came as volunteers to help. From some projects they had come with bare hands, fire-extigueshers and bush-knifes.

 The devastation was enormous, Since May 2012 there have been at least 5 big fires on Arunachala. And they have been so systematicly started that it is clear that some one is doing it. 

Below; Me and Dev Gogoi who took the photos . Till late at night we transported food, water and torch-lights for the firefighters.