At a time when dozens of wild herbivores are reported to have died from an unidentified disease in the buffer zone of the Nanda Devi national park, forest fires have exacerbated the threats being faced by such wild animals in this region.
According to local sources, the wild herbivores including blue sheep and Himalayan tahr are reported to have been afflicted by the foot and mouth disease in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi national park. The ailing animals are unable to move steadily in the mountainous terrain with fatal consequences at times. The locals state that wild herbivores appear to be afflicted in the Badagaon and Urgam areas where dozens of them have died so far. Considering this, the fire in the mountainous jungles of Badagaon has exacerbated the problem being faced by the wild herbivores. Repeated attempts were made by this correspondent to contact the divisional forest officer of Nanda Devi national park, Rajiv Dhiman but the DFO did not answer the phone. The current situation has raised questions at the functioning of the department staff. The Forest Department had formed a team to ascertain the death of wild herbivores and the forest fire inspite of the presence of this team in this area is appearing questionable to the locals.