Fiery Tuesday smokes 109 hectares of forest

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK: Around 109 hectares of forest land was affected by forest fires reported from across Sikkim yesterday as a rare weather condition of unusually low humidity, high ambient temperature and high velocity winds enveloped the State and triggered a rash of forest fires ranging from minor to some extremely serious outbreaks at 17 places across the four districts. Of course the possibility of some of these fires having sparked from intentional mischief or accident cannot be ruled out either.
As per Forest Department records, around 27 hectares of forest cover was affected in West district, 47 hectares in South, around 25 hectares in East district and 10 hectares in North Sikkim. All, on one single day.
More specifically, forest fires in West Sikkim have affected around 10 hectares at Zoom, around 5 hectares on the Tashiding Bhir, 10 hectares on Aspataley Bhir near Tharpu and around 2 hectares of the Naya Bazaar Reserve Forest.

In South district, around 1.5 hectares in Jhulungey RF in Namthang was affected, 20 hectares at Mainam Wildlife Sanctuary above Sopkey RF near Lingmoo [the worst outbreak], around 5 hectares in Jorethang-Salghari RF, 10 hectares at Melli-Tribeni RF and around 10 hectares in Kateng RF in Melli.
In East district, around 1 hectare of forest cover was affected at Rangpo-Sitey RF in Zitlang, around 2 hectares in Middle Shyari near the capital, around 6 hectares in Chalisey area of Rongli Range, around 10 hectares of Dikling RF and another 5 hectares of Pagla Bhir in the Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary.
Likewise, around 10 hectares of forest land was affected in different forest fires in North Sikkim, reported from Namprikdang, Phodong and Mangan.
Speaking to media-persons today, the PCCF-cum-Secretary, ST Lachungpa, mentioned that all the forest fires around the state were brought under the control in joint operations carried out yesterday itself.
He informed that the forest fire at Mainam Wildlife Sanctuary above Sopkey Reserve Forest near Lingmoo in South Sikkim was the most difficult to combat since not only was it huge, but the location was also inaccessible. The copious volumes of smoke that this fire billowed [see pic] stands testimony to the scale of this fire.
The Secretary further informed that while the fire has been brought under control, light smoke is still being reported from the area and a forest team is being maintained on location.
Meanwhile, the fire at Pagla Bhir in East Sikkim reignited this morning and another team was rushed to the spot.
The Forest department was assisted in its efforts yesterday by Fire Services and Police departments, Eco-Development Committees, Joint Forest Management Committees, panchayats, power developers and local residents.
It is believed that unusual fluctuations in humidity, high temperature and high velocity winds, all at the same time were the primary reason behind so many fires breaking out yesterday. Careless roadside burning, throwing of burning cigarette buds and natural fires [due to friction] could also have triggered there fires.
It was also pointed out intentional mischief cannot be ruled out while there was also the possibility that garbage burning [a common means of disposal in rural areas] sparked some of these fires. It may be recalled that this is also the time when many fields are been weeded by fire to prepare them for maize. The extremely dry conditions and high winds could have made these fires jump to forest areas.
The Forest Secretary added that if the weather conditions persisted, more fires could break out and imperil not only forest areas, but also rural habitations where wooden and Ekra houses are common. He has appealed to all to remain vigilant.
The Secretary has also directed all officials at the department headquarters and in the districts to stay vigilant and even camp at vulnerable areas to ensure quick response.
Similarly, the department is also closely following updates from the Automatic Weather Station installed at the department headquarter to keep itself better informed of the conditions which might trigger more fires.
The department has also activated its ‘Secret Forest Informers’ to keep a watch against miscreants should any be involved in starting of these fires.