Fire Breaks Out at Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve; 2 IAF Choppers Brought In

The IAF has deployed two Mi 17 V5 helicopters for the Bambi Bucket operation at the request of Alwar district admin.

IAF helicopters are being used to spray water over a forest fire in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, in Alwar district.

(Photo: PTI)

A fire broke out in Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve, following which the Indian Air Force (IAF) sent two helicopters to bring the flames under control, officials said on Tuesday, 29 March.

The IAF said that at the request of the Alwar district administration for assistance in controlling the fire that spread over large areas in Sariska Tiger Reserve, it had deployed two Mi 17 V5 helicopters for the Bambi Bucket operation.

"The operation is underway," the IAF said.

The fire broke out on Monday evening. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Villagers residing in the periphery of the fire-affected areas have been moved to safety.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted on Tuesday that the state and central governments were working in tandem to control the fire in Sariska.

He tweeted in Hindi, "Efforts are on to control the fire in Sariska forest of Alwar. The state and central governments are working in coordination. Two helicopters of the Indian Air Force joined the task of extinguishing the fire from today. This fire has come under control to a large extent and I am sure it will be brought under control by tomorrow (Wednesday)."

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on the fire in Sariska Tiger Reserve. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has assured all help to the State Government in fighting the blaze. Thankful to the Prime Minister for his prompt help," tweeted Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

Affected Region a Hub for Tigers

The chief minister added that no loss of life or wildlife has been reported yet.

However, a forest official quoted by The Indian Express said that out of 27 tigers that inhabit Sariska, at least nine are known to wander inthe area affected by the fire.

He said, "Around nine tigers including four adult tigers and tigresses and five cubs/sub-adults are known to move around in the area in Akbarpur where the fire has broken out. Some of the tigers that move around in the area include tigers ST-14, ST-17 and ST-23."

(With inputs from IANS, The Indian Express)