Fire broke out in the Sukinda forest in Jajpur district on Friday, wreaking extensive damages to the flora and fauna. The fire was noticed at the Chingudipala jungle which spread towards the nearby villages The blaze was a major one, said Sukinda Forest Officer Soubhagya Sahoo.The authorities deployed about 30 temporary staff for firefighting operations. As the Sukinda forest is fast drying up in the summer, it has turned into a cinder box,” said Sahoo.
Fact is that all forest fires are manmade causing irreversible damage to wildlife and ecosystem,” he said. “We have formed a fire line to protect the forest from the blaze. Many elephants managed to leave the forest after the fire. We have also sought the help of fire brigade officials to douse the fire. Many local tribals intentionally set the forest afire to kill animals and to convert the forest areas into agriculture field,” added Sahoo.