BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Sunday alleged that the forest department had not involved the community in its work in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district. A BJP delegation led by senior leader Jayanarayan Mishra visited parts of the reserve before meeting STR field director M Yogajayananda in Baripada.
“We met several people living close to the sanctuary and we got to hear from them that the forest department officials did not involve them in the fire action preparations. We will raise the issue in the assembly,” he told the media.
The BJP’s allegation came even as the task force formed by the government on Sunday reiterated that forest fire in STR had been contained. It sent fresh photographs of forest personnel dousing the fire. The pictures showed ground fire only and no trees were affected. However, considering that the major fire season is still left and fire activity increases with the rise in temperature, field personnel have been directed to be on alert, a taskforce communication said.
Task force chairman Sandip Tripathy said the fire in Barunei reserve forest has been fully contained with the forest department’s quick response teams, attending the fire points at short notice and dousing the blaze.