PALAKKAD: Wildlife warden Vinod Kumar said the forest fire in Silent Valley is manmade. He alleged that the fire was not a natural one and that it was aimed at settling grievances with the forest department and its employees.

Vinod Kumar also demanded that the offenders be found and brought before the law. He revealed this to a private channel. The authorities were of the belief that the fire may have spread in Palakkad buffer zone due to the heat.

The forest minister has sought a report from the Chief Wildlife Warden regarding the revelation that the fire was not natural. The fire spread in the grasslands near the Thathengalam hills in the Silent Valley. The fire which has been raging for three days was brought under control yesterday. It was after this that the Wildlife Warden came forward responding on it.