The Hindu : Other States / Uttaranchal News : Leopard killed in forest fire

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 06, 2004

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Other States - Uttaranchal

Leopard killed in forest fire

DEHRA DUN, APRIL 5 . A leopard was killed in fire in Almora district of Uttaranchal Pradesh which is witnessing a forest blaze even before the onset of peak summer season.

The animal died yesterday, the Chief Secretary, R.S. Tolia told reporters.

Major fires have been reported from Almora, Chamoli and Bageshwar districts but there was no loss of human life, he said.

However, the official said there was no cause of concern and efforts were on to control the fire.

Forest fire which is normally a four-year cycle is puzzling forest officials as it has re-emerged after less than a year. Tolia said the worst blaze was reported in 1999 when more than six lakh hectares of forest land was ruined.

He said forest department has initiated measures including removing forest land bio-mass like dried leaves, twigs and animal excreta from under the trees in the forests to check fire incidents.

Spraying of water in dried up areas and cleaning of footpaths adjoining the forest land has helped in controlling fire, Tolia added. said.

Over 1350 hectares of land hit

Forest fires have already engulfed the flora spread over 1350 hectares of land in the state. The Chief Forest Conservator, B. S. Burfal, told UNI that in view of the advanced weather forecast available with the department they were able to take up various forest fire control measures, which helped control the spread of fire. Dr Burfal pointed out that combustible objects like cigarette butts and polythene bags are widely found littered on the footpaths. But once these are removed the chances of outbreak major forest fire is automatically averted.

-- PTI & UNI

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