Gir fire destroys dry grass spread over 125 hectares of land

23-4-2008

Gir fire destroys dry grass spread over 125 hectares of land

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Gir-fire-destroys-dry-grass-spread-over-125-hectares-of-land/300561/

Junagadh, April 22 Dry grass spread over 125 hectares of land was reduced to ashes after a major fire broke out in the Gir east forest division of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday. Forest officials suspect it to be the handiwork of someone.

Sources in the Forest department said that so far no wildlife casualty or injury has been reported.

According to Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir east) J S Solanki, the fire broke out in an area falling between Bhutada and Nani Jenagar forests under the Hadala forest range. The fire was first noticed by the duty forest staff posted on a watchtower, who immediately informed the forest headquarters.

After hours of struggle, the fire was doused completely by late Monday evening. Solanki said, "An FIR has been registered and an inquiry has been ordered." Sources said this was the seventh such incident of the year in the Gir east forest division, and that this was the second incident wherein forest officials have lodged an FIR for intentionally causing a fire.