The Similipal Tiger Reserve is in Odisha.
In such a reserve, animals are not caged like they are in zoos.
Animals are in a protected space and are free to roam in the wild.
The reserve had caught on fire 2 weeks back.
The state government were able to douse the flames.
The main areas of Similipal which houses tigers remained unaffected.
Now another major fire has broken out in the adjoining Kuldiha Sanctuary on 6th March 2021.
Fire Services personnel and Forest Department staffers
are working very hard to control the wildfire.
Locals have also come forward to extend a helping hand.
Let me tell you the reason for the fire.
Near the Similipal Tiger Reserve, villagers go to collect Mahua flowers.
The flowers are used to make country liquor.
This is usually done between March-April.
During this time, the flowers naturally fall on the ground.
However dried leaves fall and cover the flowers.
This makes it difficult to spot the flowers.
Inorder to separate the leaves from the flowers, they burn the leaves.
Thus, making it easier to collect the flowers.
The villagers walk around with fire torches to burn the leaves.
However, it is extremely dangerous
as this practise can cause major wildfires
endangering the flora and fauna of the forest.
Since this is extremely risky, the forest department had an innovative idea,
to protects humans, nature and the wildlife.
They used nets to help villagers easily collect the Mahua flowers.
Burning would not be necessary and ensure safety.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Shashi Paul said,
"There has been a misunderstanding that the fire has been blazing for almost 15 days.
This is not true. Let me clarify. The fire has been doused now.
Like every year even this year there were fires in certains areas of the forest.
We prepare for these beforehand from February 15.
Whenever there is a fire, we immediately douse it.
As we get the satellite information regarding the fire spots, we communicate it to our field staff
and accordingly they move to extinguish the fire.
Around 1250 men including forest department staff and fire watchers engaged on daily wages.
They have been equipped with vehicles and fire blowers.
Even 40 vehicles of the Forest Department have been pressed into action,”
However, a local group, named Bhanja Sena,
has called for a bandh across the district on March 10.
This is because the group claims the Odisha government is apathetic towards the wildfires.
Hence, a band has been called.