Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Massive Fire Breaks Out at Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan

The blaze has spread to an area of around a 4 km radius. District forest personnel and armed forces are trying to bring the fire under control
March 29, 2022
Sariska Tiger Reserve

A massive fire broke out at Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan, on Sunday, putting wildlife in the reserve at risk.

While the reason for the fire is still unknown, the blaze has now spread to an area of around a 4 km radius. Around 200 district forest personnel are trying to bring the fire under control.

On Tuesday, Army joined forces with the district administration and forest reserve officials. Two army helicopters were called to use a hydraulic system to spread water and bring the fire under control. The helicopters arrived at Alwar and airlifted water from Siliserh Lake to douse the fire.

The forest reserve officials fear harm to the tigress, ST-17, which recently gave birth to two cubs. The department declared an emergency when the fire devoured an area of around 500 hectares, including the territory of tigress ST-17.

The police are making announcements in the villages, warning residents to be on the lookout for animals and fire.

The forest team, under RN Meena, Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF), is on the spot, as his team along with the fire department, tries to tackle the massive fire. RN Meena also said that as the beehives are being destroyed, bees in large numbers are attacking the staff.

Giving details of the situation and the use of helicopter assistance, Meena said, “It’s a double whammy for the staff who is on the spot and struggling to tackle the fire. The bees in large numbers are attacking the staff after the beehives were destroyed. Due to winds, it is difficult to control the spread.”