Bhubaneswar: While the World is celebrating Wildlife Day today, Similipal in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district is crying for help on the other hand.
A large chunk of forest area in the Similipal Tiger Reserve is burning for the past several days. Despite several efforts, the blaze is yet to be put out. Taking to Twitter, Akshita M Bhanj Deo, the Princess of Mayurbhanj, on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, to take immediate steps to control the wildfire in Similipal Tiger Reserve.
“Simlipal has been burning for 10 days today, #WorldWildlifeDay2021 .@CMO_Odisha Please help us sir?? We need state and central help to put out massive fires which have engulfed India’s 6th largest elephant and tiger Reserve,” tweeted the Princess.
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Simlipal has been burning for 10 days today, #WorldWildlifeDay2021 . @CMO_Odisha Please help us sir?? We need state and central help to put out massive fires which have engulfed India’s 6th largest elephant and tiger Reserve https://t.co/0Aoqv3PXtq
— Akshita M. Bhanj Deo (@TheGreatAshB) March 3, 2021
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On Tuesday, Union Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar had directed officials concerned to take immediate steps to control the wildfire in Similipal Tiger Reserve. Responding to a tweet by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the issue, Javadekar said he has sought a report on the forest fire from the authorities concerned.
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I have ordered officers to take immediate action and report it to me . https://t.co/lVYvfJJlkI
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) March 2, 2021
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Terming the forest fire at Similipal as alarming, Pradhan had sought intervention of Javadekar and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
According to sources, the forest is burning for the past 10 days and the flames continue to spread from one part to another. The fire has already spread to eight out of the total 21 ranges of the Similipal forest division.
It was alleged that poachers deliberately set the forest on fire so that they can poach wild animals on the other parts of the forest. Some people attributed it to intelligence failure of the forest department.
