20160418 Bangladesh Sundarbans fire put out after five hours, investigation opens
Bangladesh Apr 18 2016 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Sundarbans fire put out after five hours, investigation opens
Updated: 2016-04-18-20:16
Firefighters have doused the fire at eastern Sundarbans’ Chandpai Range with the help of Forest Department officials and locals after five hours.
Forest Department officials suspect it could be an act of arson.
Dhansagar Station Officer Sultan Mahmud had earlier said a ‘firebreak’ had been put in place to prevent the fire spreading to new areas.
The Forest Department official claimed that it was an act of arson committed by those accused in a case started over a fire at the same area five days ago.
According to Mahmud, the arson was an attempt to evade arrests by the six named in the case.
Khulna Circle Conservator of Forests Zahir Uddin said a three-strong committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
Five fire-watching teams, each with three members, have also been constituted to guard the forest, he said, and added a case will be initiated over the incident.
It is the third incident of fire in the same area in three weeks.
The first occurred on Mar 27. The committee that investigated the fire blamed carelessness of locals and those depending on the forest.
The investigation report on the second fire of Apr 13 is yet to be filed.
Forest fires had been reported from the Chandpai and Sharankhola ranges of the world’s largest mangrove forest in the past, especially when spring ends and summer approaches.
Gusty winds, during this part of the year, make it hard to control such fires.
It is also the season for ‘Mowals’ (honey collectors). They use fire and smoke to keep the bees away, another possible reason behind the fires.
There may be another reason – a carelessly thrown cigarette on methane gas produced from rotten leafs.
Web Source: bdnews24.com
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2016/04/18/sundarbans-fire-put-out-after-five-hours-investigation-opens