Fire breaks out in Gorewada jungle, disturbs wild animals
| Date :28-Apr-2019 |
By Ramesh Marulkar;
A ground fire broke out in Gorewada jungle from lakeside area (Corporation gate) and quickly spread in an area of around 30 hectares on Saturday evening, reducing precious trees and grassland to ashes. According to reliable sources, fire watchers noticed incident of fire inside jungle near Gorewada village at 5.15 pm. Upon getting information, Nandkishor Kale, Divisional Manger, Gorewada project, H V Madbhushi, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Pandurang Pakhale, Range Forest Officer, rescue team, field staff of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra and guides rushed towards the spot. The staff of around 30 persons tried to extinguish the surging fire with the help air blowers.
They brought the fire under control after two hours. Sources informed that young ones of wild animals must have been affected by the fire while guides, Gypsy drivers and tourists during evening jungle safari suddenly observed a leopardess, her cub and herbivores running to safer places, when they reached some distance away from the spot.
The officials stopped allowing any vehicle entering in the park after coming to know of the fire incident. The guides/drivers on evening jungle safari with tourists also cut short the trip, sensing danger. When contacted, Nandkishor Kale said that the fire must have been kindled by some anti-social elements. The staff will assess the affected area and damage on Sunday as they could not do so due to low visibility today, he added. It may be mentioned here that repeated cases of man-made fires had occurred in Gorewada a couple of months ago.