Mangaluru: The Forest department has estimated that heavy rain coupled with landslides and floods on the foothills of Charmadi Ghats in Belthangady in the month of August has destroyed 100 acres of reserve forest.

The department had conducted a survey using drone camera to assess the destruction of the forest.

A majority of the landslides had occurred in the steep hilly ranges of the forest where water still flows.

It was difficult for the forest department officers and staff to visit the spot and conduct a survey to assess the damage. Hence, drone was used for videographing the entire damaged area.

Mangaluru division Deputy Conservator of Forest V Karikalan said, “The landslide-affected area was videographed using drone camera. The footage were verified and the area where forest was damaged was identified. Based on the photo and video clippings, we have estimated extent of forest destroyed in the natural calamity. It is estimated that 100 acres of forest land have been damaged.”

He said, “Major landslides had occurred in Hosamata-Kannarpady reserve forest area. Hosamata bridge too has been washed away. Using high quality camera in Drone, the entire affected area was photographed. We could see landslides and flood-affected areas”.