STATE TIMES NEWS
BHADARWAH: Massive forest fire that started last night at Thaleela Forest in Chirala Range of Bhadarwah Forest Division has reportedly destroyed dozens of pine trees and hundreds of regenerative saplings till this morning.
The forest fire that reportedly engulfed Compartment 24 of block and range Chirala late last evening has been partially controlled, as in some patches the fire is still going on damaging dozens of pine trees beside hundreds of young saplings.
Sleuths of Territorial Forest Division Bhadarwah, Forest Protection Force and some locals from upper Thaleela village are trying hard to douse the fire since last night.
” The pine forest is vulnerable to catch fire in this season, perhaps either due to the sudden rise in temperature or when some grazers deliberately throw burning cigarettes butts on the dry grass resulting in massive forest fire,” said DFO Bhadarwah T.P Singh. Locals of adjoining Thalela village and environmentalist are alleging foul play by the forest mafia and maintained that this a deliberate act and not a natural incident.
