Post News Network
Kankadahada, March 12: With summer yet to set in, fire in the forests of Kamakhyanagar eastern and western range as well as in Mahabirod forest range and the rural jungles threatened the existence of flora and fauna here in Dhenkanal district Thursday.
Forest officials suspected that the fire might have broke out after someone visiting the jungle lit a heap of dry leaves or it might be the handiwork of Mohua flower collectors or rabbit poachers. Forest
officials with skeletal staff have tried to douse the fire but in vain.
The fire which started from Anantapur reserve forest has now spread to jungles on Budha hill, Ranjagol hill, Dadaraghati, Ekul hill and the rural forests in the vicinity.
The fire has endangered scores of wild animals like deer, wild boar, barking deer, rabbits which were found straying into human habitats to save their lives.
Several reptiles like snakes, chameleons, monitor lizards, and civets were found to have been charred to death in the fire with hundreds of medicinal plants like Amla, Bel, wild basil, Satavari and timber trees turning into ash. The
intensity of the fire can be gauged from the fact that branches of trees at 15-ft height have been burnt down.
