How did the Similipal forest fire start and what damage has it caused

Odisha
Similipal forest reserve, which is home to over 50 species of
animals, including the endangered Bengal Tigers has been engulfed in fire for over 10 days. The fire started in February and is quite a common phenomenon
during dry weather conditions in the area. However, the state government
claimed that the fire in the Similipal biosphere reserve, which is Asia’s second-largest forest reserve, has been contained.

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Here is everything to know about the fire which had engulfed a better part of India’s largest biosphere reserve area.

What caused the fire?

According to Sashi Pal, principal chief conservator of forest, Odisha forest department, the forest fire in Similipal was an outcome of a variety of factors including extremely dry summer and negligence on the part of people who had been hunting and collecting Mahuli flowers, reported Down to Earth.

Pal further added that these fires, however are a natural part of the forest cycle, especially during the dry season. But these needed to be controlled and contained before it spreads to a larger area.

Impact of the fire

A total of 399 fire points have been identified in the fringe areas bordering the forest, close to the villages, said the Regional Conservator of Forests Similipal, Maloth Mohan.

How are forest fires controlled?

Forest fire owing to its massive coverage is generally brought under control by natural rain. However one of the made made way to mitigate the disaster is creation of forest lines creating fire lines, clearing sites of dried biomass. This process includes compartmentalizing the forest into parts and dividing the vegetation area to prevent the fire from reaching it.

As far as Similipal fire is concerned, this year’s response measure worked in a more systematic way by forming a squad each for 21 ranges across the five divisions to closely monitor the situation. At least 1,000 personnel, 250 forest guards were placed on ground to monitor the situation along with 40 fire tenders and 240 blower machines, reported Indian Express.