Sariska Tiger Reserve is situated in Aravali hills. A massive fire is raging in the forest area of Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan’s Alwar. It has been 24 hours since the fire broke out. The IAF helicopters have been sent to bring the blaze under control.
The cause of the fire breakout is yet unknown. The fire broke out on Monday evening. The movement of the Tigers in the reserve is affected due to fire. Two helicopters from the army have been called to douse the fire. About 150-200 people including the forest officials are engaged in controlling fire.
Villagers residing nearby have been asked to move out for safety purposes. Sariska Tiger Reserve covers 800 sq km situated in the Aravali hills. It is surrounded by dry deciduous forests, sheer cliffs, and a rocky landscape.
The IAF has asked the in-charge admin of Alwar district to help in the control of the fire covering a large area of the Sariska Tiger Reserve. IAF has even deployed two Mi 17 V5 helicopters to take care of the Bambi Bucket operations.
Alwar’s ADM Sunita Pankaj states that “ we are focusing on the areas where there could be a danger to the wildlife from the fire and in areas where it has spread.”‘ As the fire was massive, efforts made by residents were not enough. So the fire department from Jaipur has been involved. Two choppers from Delhi have been deployed to douse the fire. Our priority is the areas having the high tiger and rural people.’ Added Pankaj.
Alwar DFO Sudarshan Sharma told,” We were informed about the fire two days ago. We asked locals in the area to control the fire. As of now 9 sq km of the area is engulfed in fire. Attempts are being taken to restrict the fire from spreading in the valley. It’s uncertain about the damage done by the fire once it’s extinguished.”
Assumptions are being made that the fire surrounding the tiger reserve is almost equivalent to the size of 1,800 football fields. There are more than 20 tigers in the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
At the behest of Alwar Dist admin to help control the spread of fire over large areas of #SariskaTigerReserve, @IAF_MCC has deployed two Mi 17 V5 heptrs to undertake #BambiBucket ops.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 29, 2022
Fire Fighting Operations are underway since early morning today.#आपत्सुमित्रम pic.twitter.com/HhGEHsdYrS
