new Delhi: In Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve, the fire is now confined to just one hill, about 80 percent of the fire has been brought under control since Sunday.
Rajasthan Principal Secretary (Forests) Shreya Guha said, “Around 80 per cent of the fire was brought under control by evening. Now only one hill is engulfed in flames.”
The operation to douse the fire has been going on since Monday involving 200 people and two helicopters of the Air Force. The forest fire had spread over an area of 10 sq km in the forest of Alwar district.
Guha said officials would take stock of the damage caused by the fire once the fire is completely doused.
The forest official said the situation is now almost under control in areas with thick dry grass that burns easily.
Four adult tigers and five cubs live in the area where the fire broke out. But officials claimed that no tiger was trapped in the area. There are 27 tigers in the Sariska Reserve.
The fire broke out on Sunday evening. Two helicopters of the IAF were deployed in the firefighting operation on Tuesday.
Two SDRF teams with 25 personnel each have been deployed. Commandant Pankaj Choudhary said that he helped the forest workers to douse the fire by digging a ditch.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on the fire in Sariska Tiger Reserve and expressed concern over the situation, assuring all help, PTI reported.
“Prime Minister Modi spoke to Rajasthan Chief Minister on the fire in Sariska Tiger Reserve. PM expressed concern over the situation and assured all possible help,” an official said.