Simlipal forest reserve often catches fire due to dry weather. This National Park faces such incidents at the end of the spring season and the beginning of summer.
The summer season has started all over the country and this is the time when fire incidents are at its peak. Simlipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha is also engulfed in flames these days. This national park has been under severe fire since last 10 days. But no one is paying attention to this fire.
Simlipal Jung is the most important national park in the country spread over 1060 square meters. This place is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve. There is also a tiger reserve. In such a situation, the fire here has become a matter of concern for environmental experts.
3000 types of trees
Simlipal's forest is home to Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, Gaur and Chausingha. Apart from this, this park is also known for its beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Beripani Falls. In 2009, it was declared as the World Network of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Efforts are being made to extinguish the fire in the park for the last 10 days. According to the news of Indian Express, a total of 399 fire points have been identified in Bib Park. Located at the end of the Eastern Ghats, this park is particularly famous for red silk cotton trees. It is named after these trees, which grow in this area.
In the forest of Simlipal, 3000 types of trees and plants of which 94 types of orchids are found alone. Apart from this, there are 12 types of animals that can live on water and land, 29 types of reptiles, 264 types of birds and 42 types of mammals in this national park.
Worst time in february
Simlipal forest reserve often catches fire due to dry weather. This National Park faces such incidents at the end of the spring season and the beginning of summer.
This season is not considered less than any period for this park. Once there is a fire, then it does not take time to spread in the entire forest. In the months of January and February, there is little rain and then after this, the heat starts suddenly and due to this the danger on the park increases.
Due to the sky lightning, the park also has to face accidents like fire. But this happens rarely and it is often said that human error is responsible for the incidents of fire.
Many times cigarettes and bidis are burnt here. At the same time, hunters and people who enter by theft often light a fire to drive away the animals.
What did the authorities say
According to Odisha media, sometimes villagers burn dry leaves on the ground. They do this to easily collect Mahua flowers from which intoxicating drinks are prepared.
According to a media report, this year the forest department had taken measures to avoid the fire. In five divisions, a squad was prepared for 21 range and the situation was closely monitored.
1,000 personnel, 250 forest guards were sent to extinguish the fire. 45 tenders and 240 blower machines were used to extinguish the fire.
According to the authorities of the National Park, the main area is safe and there is no loss to the protected species in this incident. According to him, the fire was in the buffer zone and the foothill area is currently under control.