Rise in forest fires across Odisha this year can be clearly attributed to a lack of proper planning
Similipal on fire. Photo: Ashis Senapati Fires were recorded in over 23,000 points across Odisha during the last week, according to new data released by the government March 8, 2021.
The Fire Alerts System managed by the Forest Survey of India tracks large fire events across India on real-time basis using the data of SNPP-VIIRS (Suomi-National Polar-orbiting-Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite).
It had recorded 686 active large fire incidents and 23,185 fire points within a week in Odisha’s forests as of March 8.
The rise in forest fires across Odisha this year can be attributed to a lack of proper planning, Jayakrusnha Panigrahi, the secretary of Odisha Environmental Society, told this reporter.
“Forest officials delayed the renovation of ponds and water bodies before the summer. The resulting shortage of water in the forest aggravated the fire situation. With vast areas of forest land being gutted in the state, wild animals have begun migration to human settlement area,” Panigrahi said.
Thousands of people are battling deadly forest fires in the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district.
The forest fire poses a massive threat to snakes, elephants, tigers, bears and other animals, medicinal plants and other trees.
Fire incidents reports are pouring in from Koraput, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal and Angul districts.
A herd of elephants came down from the forests of the Similipal Tiger Reserve March 7 into the Beladiha, Rangada, Raghunathpur and Canchipada villages due to the massive inferno.
Santosh Joshi, the divisional forest officer of Baripada of Mayurbhanj district, tweeted:
“The government has issued a toll free number 1800-3457-158 for the transmission of information on forest fire incidents, smuggling and other forest and wildlife-related issues. All- out efforts are being made to douse the forest fires in the Similipal Tiger Reserve and its nearby areas. Forest fire points are being attended on an hourly basis. Appeal to everyone to trust us in our endeavour.”
“We suspect some poachers of the bordering Dhenkanal district are setting Bandhapali forest under Bairi forest range in Jajpur district on fire to drive away animals towards villages for poaching,” Abhiram Jena, the forest range officer of Bairi forest range, said.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.