Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the largest biospheres in India, is currently on fire. The forest fire rages on and it is a threat to cause severe damages. Locals, on the different hand, have said that the authorities have not executed to bring the fire down. The fire broke out in remote places on Monday and spread across six woodland ranges.
Spread across a place of over a hundred rectangular km, Bandhavgarh is one of the most popular national parks in India in the Vindhya Hills of the Umaria district, about 470 km from country capital Bhopal; it is recognized for Royal Bengal tigers.
The fire is believed to have unfolded to several zones which includes one of the three main zones- Magdi. Frightening visuals confirmed trees engulfed in a blaze and an enormous expanse of grasslands included in plumes of smoke.
massive forest fire broke out at the #Bandhavgarh National Park efforts are still on to put out the blaze. Locals are saying Bandhavgarh national park is burning from 29th march 2021 night but steps were not taken to resolve the issue pic.twitter.com/4t5Lm1PuLg
— Anurag Dwary (@Anurag_Dwary) March 31, 2021
Inadequate assets are believed to be one of the reasons, sources said, that it is taking so long to douse the wooded area fire. Locals have stated the authorities did not take well-timed action when the blaze broke out.
This is the second tiger reserve and the fire has raised the situation amongst environmentalists and conservationists. Earlier this month, a comparable incident took place at Odisha’s Similipal Reserve. Disturbing pictures from the Similipal woodland in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha captured in vibrant orange flames in the night.
Bandhavgarh is visited by a giant number of travelers annually, Magdi Zone is often under the focus of the park authorities to provide “more probability to spot tigers,” according to the reputable website.
“Elephant shows are also organized in the Magdi zone of the Bandhavgarh national park to increase the chances of spotting the elusive king of the jungle,” it says. “Over the years, the park has shown a great number of increases in the count of the tiger species and this is the reason why tiger tours are so famed to attract large amount of tourists at its vicinity,” it further stresses.
On social media, various wildlife photographers shared pictures and videos to urge authorities to take quick action.
#Bandhavgarh is burning, the forests I have grown up in are on fire. And LITERALLY nothing hurts more than this. Except for the fact that I am not there right now helping the frontline staff in controlling it We need more support please We need more support please,” tweeted Suyash Keshari, a wildlife photographer and filmmaker.
#Bandhavgarh is burning, the forests I have grown up in are on fire. And LITERALLY nothing hurts more than this. Except for the fact that I am not there right now helping the frontline staff in controlling it
— Suyash Keshari (@suyashkeshari96) March 30, 2021
We need more support please sir @mptfs @JansamparkMP @MPTourism pic.twitter.com/8FfITjQdHG
“We have just received news from Bandhavgarh that a forest fire is raging in the Khitauli area, the cause is thought to be human revelry as #Holi celebrations continue into the night. It reminds us why more safe waterholes are needed for wild #Tigers https://goto.gg/34315,” Tigers4Ever, a non-profit tweeted.
We have just received news from Bandhavgarh that a forest fire is raging in the Khitauli area, the cause is thought to be human revelry as #Holi celebrations continue into the night. It reminds us why more safe waterholes are needed for wild #Tigers https://t.co/RGFgcgWSCb pic.twitter.com/Ml4XcNXFSp
— Tigers4Ever (@Tigers4Ever2010) March 29, 2021