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Turahalli is a 590-acre forest which is one of the last surviving forests within Bengaluru; the city is growing so fast that a few of the forest areas are now part of the urban zone.
According to Joseph Hoover, former State Board of Wildlife member and founder of the United Conservation Movement and Charitable Trust, this particular patch of the reserve has gone completely dry and there is no water in BM Kaval Agara forest too.
Locals say while the forest department is putting its best foot forward in managing fire incidents at the reserve, miscreants have been breaking the fence frequently and setting up fires leading to destruction of precious flora and fauna.
According to the Karnataka Forest Department, forest officials have been on their toes examining the area for pug marks and excreta for the last couple of days. However, no direct or indirect evidence has been found by the officials so far.