A huge fire broke out in around 150 hectares of land in Gorewada project unit II in reserve forest towards lava-Dahba areas that reduced precious trees and grass to ashes on Sunday noon time.
As many as 150 officers, employees and workers of Gorewada project soon after noticing the fire at 12.30 pm started preliminary work of extinguishing the fire with air blowers and grooms prepared by tree branches. Then arrived three fire tenders of Nagpur Fire Brigade to douse the raging fire due to flowing of winds. Their efforts bore fruits after five hours when the fire died down.
Around 2 pm the flames started spreading towards zoo side and hence Shatanik Bhagwat, Divisional Manager, Gorewada zoo project, suspended the evening jungla safari in the interest of tourists. At the same time the fire spreading towards zoo side was also doused, resulting no harm to caged wild animals, it is reported.
The cause of the fire appears to be man- made. Some anti-social elements alledgely kindled the fire. Further investigation is underway.
The officials could not assess the exact fire-hit area, damages and losses to jungle in evening. The same work will be taken up in the morning.
