Boinda: The Dhundi rural forest under Handapa range in Angul district has been on fire for two days, but the Forest Department is yet to implement steps to douse the flame. Sources said the fire by this time must have destroyed a substantial amount of medicinal plants and herbs the forest is famous for.
Local residents, who saw the fire affecting vast stretches of the jungle Monday, informed the Forest Department. However, with the department showing no inclination to extinguish the flames, the locals are in serious problems.
“The fire has forced the wild animals out of the forest and they are moving towards our habitation, damaging crops. This can lead to serious human-animal conflict,” the locals pointed out.
According to them, this season mahua trees are in blooms. The flowers are also dropping. And for some cowherds it is a good source of earning. The flower is consumed as a food item and also used for making country liquor.
Local alleged that the cowherds were finding it difficult to collect the flowers from the ground due to dry leaves. So they have set the dry leaves on fire which in turn affected a large area of the forest.
“For Ayurvedic medicines we collect several roots, herbs, barks, leaves and nuts from this jungle. Their easy availability helps us. But now, we fear most of these trees are burnt. We may not get some of the trees,” some senior villagers pointed out.
The residents of Badahula, Jhilimunda and Sanagovindpur are constantly in fear. Their apprehension is that the fire particles could fly towards their village and cause damage to their houses.
When contacted, Handapa Ranger Chaitanya Behera said, “Steps will soon be taken to douse the fire.”
PNN