Dhenkanal: After Kandhamal and Cuttack districts, fire has spread in a forest area in Dhenkanal district, destroying hundreds of precious trees.
The fire, which is suspected to have started a few days back, has engulfed the entire reserve forest near Siarimalia village under Muktaphasi forest section of Kamakshaynagar West forest range in the district.
Precious trees of different species in hundreds of acre in the forest have been burnt down due to the forest. Thousands of saplings planted in several acres as part of forestation conservation plan have also come under the grip of forest.
The locals alleged that though they have informed the Forest officials about the fire, no effort has been made to bring it under control or prevent it from spreading to nearby forest due to the dry leaves covering the forest ground.
Fire Spreads In Reserve Forest Of Another Odisha District – YouTube
Last month, Damerikia forest under K Nuagaon forest range of Baliguda forest division in Kandhamal district had caught fire which spread to 6 nearby hills in a few days. The Fire personnel deployed by the district administration faced a tough task in controlling the fire.
Similarly, Sankhapoi reserve forest under Athgarh forest range in Cuttack district had also caught fire last month.
Also Read: Forest Fire Spreads To 6 Hills In Odisha’s Kandhamal District
