Fire breaks out in Bhitarkanika National Park

BHUBANESWAR: A blaze on Friday morning broke out in parts of Bhitarkanika national park, a Ramsar wetland site, causing destruction of mangrove species in the country’s second largest mangrove forest.

The fire that engulfed near mangrove-infested Satabhaya forest block has been brought under control. The inferno had its terrible impact in at least two-acre stretch mangrove forest areas, according to divisional forest officer, Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division Prasanna Kumar Behera.

The exact cause of fire is not yet known though officials suspect that honey collectors in the forest peripheral village might have set the fire to drive away the swarm of bees.

The forest personnel have managed to douse the inferno by drawing water from nearby Baunsagadi rivulet.

The locals actively helped the forest personnel as the flames were doused by way of river water drawn through diesel-operated pump sets, according to officials.

The area infested by shrubs and small trees is prone to fire during the summer as it is dry in absence of tidal water at this time; the official said adding that the damage had been minimized. Large mangrove species were largely spared by the fire while bushes, shrubs and small trees were

The Bhitarkanika national park, with its rich mangrove cover and ecosystem, has found a place in the tentative World heritage site list of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

The internationally-acclaimed Ramsar wetland spot is also a home to a number of rare species of birds and animals, including the endangered salt-water crocodiles and olive Ridley sea turtles.