A massive fire which has been burning for past six days is still engulfing trees, destroying the forest in the forestry and hilly terrain under Jaridih block about 30 kms for the district headquarters of Bokaro and have also spelled the truth about illegal timber trade.
It has to the notice that wood smugglers of West Bengal are active in the bordering area of Jharkhand. They keeps target on Jharkhand’s forest, stealing valuable woods, trees and bamboos after chopping them down in the bordering areas of Jharkhand and WB.
Fire which has spread in over 500 acre created panic like situation mostly in six villages, situated in the base area of hills, said Bahadur Mahato, ex-village head of Bhaski Village.
The villagers alleged that few wood smugglers of West Bengal trying to destroy local forest only for their selfish motives and small earning. “First they ignited the fire in the forest and later cut down the valuable woods, trees and bamboos from the forest,” alleged the villagers.
Fire created chaos among the villagers and frightened people of Roria, Bhaski, Padi, Yogadih including other villages are forced to spend sleepless night, said Raghu Mahato another villager. “Despite our repeated requests no initiatives have been taken to control the fire which engulfing our forest since past six days”, Mahato alleged.
“We villagers have already conveyed about fire to the MlA, Member of the Zila Parishid, and forest Ranger but fire yet to get controlled,” said Ranjan another villager Thousands of trees and plants singed due fire, he said adding, “we fear that our area will lose its greenery.” When contacted, Bokaro DFO said that the Department was working on war footing to control the fire earliest.