Seven hectares of Tadoba forest devoured in fire

Chandrapur: Massive forest fire devoured as many as seven hectares of forest in buffer zone of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve zone and adjoining area of Irai dam under Mahagenco on Monday. Fire blazed for more than four hours and devastated the flora and fauna in large stretch. While exact reason of fire is not known, forest officials have not ruled out human involvement.
As per reports, fire was noticed in the large stretch of the forest near Irai dam near Moharli at around 11am. While forest officials, guards and firefighter rushed to control the forest fire, it kept spreading for quite some time. Tourists visiting TATR were seen stopping along the road to watch the burning forest on the one side of the Moharli road.
Official sources in TATR buffer zone however maintained that one hectare of forest under Moharli (buffer) range and six hectares of forest standing on land meant for Irai dam owned by Mahagenco was burned in the fire. It took four hours for the 11-member team of fire fighters to bring the fire under control. Officers however maintained that as it was ground fire, shrubs and smaller trees sustained the major brunt while big trees mostly remained unaffected.
They also denied of any loss to the wildlife and maintained that wild animals are adapted to such phenomenon and leave the ground as soon as they sense any danger.
Foresters are investigating into the reasons of the fire. Officials hold that while high summer temperature might be the cause of fire, possibility of villagers putting fire for better collection of Mahua have not been ruled out.