05/03/2021
A massive fire has threatened to cause colossal damage to Similipal Biosphere β one of the largest biospheres of India β prompting the Odisha government to deploy a big contingent of field level staff to douse it.
The biosphere spread over 4,374 sq. km. has 845 sq. km. of core forest (tiger reserve), 2,129 sq km buffer area and 1,400 sq km of transition space.
βMore than 1,200 field staff, 225 fire watchers and squads with 240 fire blowers are working round the clock to prevent further spread,β said M. Yogajayananda, Regional Chief Conservator of Forest, Baripada.
Expressing concern, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has sought a report.
The fire that broke out in isolated places of Similipal in Mayurbhanj district in the first week of February has spread to eight forest ranges and is raging.