JAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning spoke to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and offered all support to control the fire that broke out in the Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), which is home to 27 big cats, people familiar with the matter said.
The fire broke out on Sunday evening and spread to a 10 square kilometer area of STR in Alwar district, threatening the habitat of tigers and forcing the authorities to put at least six villages on high alert.
“Prime Minister Modi spoke with the Rajasthan chief minister on the fire at Sariska Tiger reserve. The PM expressed concern at the situation and assured all help,” a government official said.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan forest department officials on Wednesday said that the fire was under control. The Indian Air Force choppers were pressed into service to spray water to douse the flames.
“The fire did not spread much last night and has been brought under control. More than 80% of the fire has been doused,” said Sudhershan Sharma, district forest officer, Sariska Tiger Reserve.
He said if there are strong winds today, the fire will be doused. “The fire is there on the plateau are of Narandi and Naharshakti area, which is being controlled by helicopters. There are five small pockets where the fire has been doused manually,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}He said if there are strong winds today, the fire will be doused. “The fire is there on the plateau are of Narandi and Naharshakti area, which is being controlled by helicopters. There are five small pockets where the fire has been doused manually,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}A forest department official said, “It will become clear after the flames are doused that how much of the forest area has been burnt.”
The officials said that the fire that spread to over 10 sq km on Sunday has been reduced to an area of about 4-5 sq km as of Tuesday. They said military helicopters are ferrying water from nearby Silisedh Lake to spray over the fire.
On Tuesday, the forest department urged people of villages such as Baletha, Prithvipura, Nayawas and Bhatyla to avoid going to forest areas and take all precautions. Three big cats and two cubs were making movement in the area affected by fire but the forest officials said that none are in danger.