Ooty : A 26-year old youth was arrested on Tuesday on charges of setting afire dry leaves and grass in the forest area coming under Nilgiris North division.

The forest range officials along with the forest department personnel on morning rounds noticed thick smoke emanating from Ebbanadu area and immediately rushed to the spot.

They noticed a youth, trespassing and lighting fire in the area and immediately nabbed him, department sources said.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that the youth, Gangadharan took the step to prevent elephant, deer and other animals from straying into his farm, where vegetables like potato and cabbage are grown.

He was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody for 15 days and lodged in the sub-jail here.

Meanwhile, the raging fire in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve area is being brought under control and prevented from spreading to other areas, they said.