Bhubaneswar: The wildfire spread to more areas in Chandaka forest putting plants and animals at risk.
After Godibari forest, the wild flames today engulfed the Jhumuka forest area creating a cause of concern for forest officials as well as the people residing in the periphery of the forest.
A forest team has been engaged to keep an eye on the situation and ensure that the blaze doesn’t spread more areas inside the sanctuary.
The exact reason behind the fire remains unclear. But, most of the incidents are suspected to be caused by humans.
The thick smoke billowing out of the forest itself explained intensity of the inferno.
Forest officials said that they are struggling hard to bring the blaze under control.
Not only Chandaka forest, Similipal biosphere reserve was not spared from the clutches of wildfire. As per the forest survey of India report, over 5,000 forest fire incidents have been reported in the State in the last one week.
PCCF Debidutta Biswal said that forest officials efficiently doused the flames in various forests across the State. The department is fully prepared to contain the fire in forests of the State.
The State government has deployed seven teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) in vulnerable forests to combat wildfire.
The Office of Special Relief Commissioner said on the request of the principal chief conservator of forests, the department has deployed seven ODRAF teams in Baliguda, Phulbani, Rayagada, Bonai, Kalahandi South, Similipal South, Paralakhemundi forest divisions to douse forest fire.
Wildfire incidents are now under control and all measures have been taken, the PCCF said.
