Fire rages for second day in Rajaji Park

The fire in Rajaji National Park in Haridwar raged for the second day on Saturday even as efforts were intensified to douse the flames that destroyed scores of trees.

Dehra Dun: The fire in Rajaji National Park
in Haridwar raged for the second day on Saturday even as efforts
were intensified to douse the flames that destroyed scores of
trees.

The blaze, which broke out yesterday evening near the
Chandi temple area, continued till well past noon, officials
said.

A team of police and forest personnel equipped with
fire fighting equipments battled the blaze, SSP Kumbh Mela
Ajay Rautela said.

However, there was no report of any casualty, he said.

An alert has been sounded in the vicinity since the
Kumbh area is also not very far from where the site.

As a precautionary measure, the authorities have
started frisking pilgrims so that they do not carry any match
box or lighter, DIG (Kumbh Mela) Alok Sharma said.

He said forest fires are quite common in Shivaliks
during summer months.

The Rajaji Park is spread over an area of 820 sq km
and is a home to 23 species of mammals and 315 species of
birds.

The park is known for its Asian elephants, panthers,
bears, sambars and wild boars.

PTI

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