Baripada: Simlipal is facing forest fire again with the onset of summer this year. Seven fire points have been reported in Gurguria, Talabandha, and Chahala ranges of the national park.
Meanwhile, five persons have been arrested during an attempt to set fire in Naana range of Similipal forest reserve with an intention to hunt wild animals. Two matchboxes, two bows, six arrows, and four axes have been seized from their possession.
Three among them are from Badgaon and one from Rairangpur, informed ACF Pradip Kumar Dey.
Fire in Simlipal had caused irreversible damage to the forest and its inhabitants last year. The State Government had engaged ODRAF teams to render assistance to abate the forest fire.
Earlier this year, the forest department had launched a series of 400 awareness rallies and more than 100 joint mock drills to contain forest fires. Around 700 forest personnel were engaged and 500 fire extinguishers had been procured for the purpose.
However, the repeated phenomenon that has been in play for years has raised concern among locals and environmentalists.
