3 Arrested For Setting Forest Afire In Boudh

India: While Odisha is struggling to contain forest fires across the State, as many as three persons were arrested by the forest department personnel on Saturday for allegedly setting a fire at the Mundeswar Forest Range in the district.

Acting on a tip off,  a special squad of the forest department raided some locations inside the range and located the trio who were burning dry leaves for poaching wildlife. The accused will be forwarded to court today, sources said.

Meanwhile, the forest department has geared up to take strict action against those who set forest ablaze by forming special squads. A coordination meeting between forest officials and district administration has been convened to chalk out the modalities of the joint crackdown.

 “The staff in our zone have been split into several teams and they are keeping a strong vigil on fire incidents. We are taking all necessary measures to contain the flames and restrict poachers from setting forests on blaze,” said a forest official.

In a similar crackdown on March 11, three persons had been arrested on charges of setting fire at Ranjagada reserve forest in Dhenkanal district. A special team led by Kamakhyanagar Range Officer (East) Satya Narayan Sahoo had carried out raids to arrest the trio.

Earlier this week, a poacher had been held for setting forest afire at Podadiha range near Udala in Mayurbhanj district.

Earlier on the day, Opposition BJP had demanded a detailed probe into the Similipal forest fire, while the Odisha government claimed that the inferno is now under control.

(Source: The Odisha News)