Forester dies of cardiac arrest while dousing blaze in Gir east
Foresterdies of cardiac arrest while dousing blaze in Gir east
13 March 2008
published by www.expressindia.com
India — In a bizarre incident, a forest department employee diedfollowing a massive cardiac arrest while on a fire fighting mission in the Girforest area. He was among the more than 100 forest employees who were trying tocontrol a blaze in the Thorala and Kantala area in Tulshishyam range of the Gireast forest division.
Forest beat guards on duty in the area first noticed the fire, afterwhich senior forest officials, including Conservator of Forests (wildlife)Bharat Pathak, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Gir east) J S Solanki rushed tothe spot.
A forest official said the fire was brought under control after morethan 12 hours. He said the fire caused extensive damage to nearly 85 hectares offorestland, but no damage to livestock was reported from anywhere.
Deputy conservator of forests (Gir east), J S Solanki said, “Theforest fire seems to be the handiwork of some hooligans. We have alreadyregistered an FIR against unknown persons. An inquiry has also been initiated inthe issue.”
Solanki also ruled out the possibility of any injuries sustained by theanimals, due to the fire. He said, “Wild animals are safe. The fire did notaffect the big trees. The fire destroyed grass cover in 80 to 85 hectares,”he said.
He added, “DK Vasoya, who suffered died due to the heart attackwas immediately rushed to a government hospital in Khambha, where the doctor onduty declared him brought dead. All possible help and compensation will be givento the next of the kin of the deceased employee,” Solanki added.
