Major fire in Sariska Tiger Reserve, IAF choppers deployed
Mangalore Today News Network
Jaipur, Mar 29, 2022: A massive fire has broken out in the Sariska Tiger Reserve and Air Force helicopters equipped with water sprays are battling to bring it under control, said Rajasthan Forest Department officials Tuesday.
“An 8-10 sq km area in the Akbarpur range has been affected,” said Roop Narayan Meena, Field Director, Sariska Tiger Project, Alwar.
The fire was first noticed on Sunday. The next day, officials tried to get it under control, without much success; strong winds ensured that the blaze reached the hills, Meena said in a statement.
At the behest of Alwar Dist admin to help control the spread of fire over large areas of #SariskaTigerReserve, @IAF_MCC has deployed two Mi 17 V5 heptrs to undertake #BambiBucket ops.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 29, 2022
Fire Fighting Operations are underway since early morning today.#आपत्सुमित्रम pic.twitter.com/HhGEHsdYrS
Authorities then called in the Disaster Management Department.
On Tuesday, Air Force Helicopters sprinkled water on affected areas and the fire in the hills was partially extinguished, said Meena.
The helicopter operations will continue, said the statement.
At least nine tigers, including cubs, are known to move around in the area which has been affected by fire, forest officials said.
“Sariska has a total of 27 tigers. Around nine tigers including four adult tigers and tigress and five cubs/sub-adults are known to move around in the area in Akbarpur where the fire has broken out. Some of the tigers that move around in the area include tigers ST-14, ST-17 and ST-23,” said a senior forest official who didn’t wish to be named.
The official added that the place affected by the fire is a thick forest area.
Around 200 forest officials, drivers, nature guides and residents of nearby villages have been called in to help, said the statement.
Meena said fire’s cause is yet to be ascertained.
Courtesy: Indian Express