Forest fire in Trikuta Hills, Vaishnodevi Yatra halted for sometime
Forest fire in Trikuta Hills, VaishnodeviYatra halted for sometime
7June 2005
publishedby www.expressindia.com
AT least 12 Forest ProtectionForce personnel were injured while controlling a fire that broke out today inthe forest area in Trikuta mountains, where the holy Vaishnodevi Shrine islocated, prompting authorities to stop the pilgrimage for a short while, reportsfrom base camp Katra said.
The fire, believed to have been caused by cigarette butts, engulfed theforest area near Adhkumari and the cave shrine at around noon.
FPF personnel rushed to the area and were able to control the blaze to alarge extent, the reports said, adding at least 12 of them sustained burninjuries.
Police and locals were also assisting the FPF personnel in controlling theflames.
The authorities had stopped the yatra for some time and later resumed it.
However, there was no report of injury to any devotee, the reports said.
