Wildfire in Ralan area
Wildfire in Ralan area
22 March 2010
published by www.nagalandpost.com
India — More than 80,000 acres of forest area in Ralan, Wokha have been ravaged by wildfire, suspected to be have been caused by jungle burning for jhum cultivation.
The devastating blaze, which reportedly ignited last week, has wreaked havoc on forest resources including flora and fauna, natural resources, wild animals and ecological system, a press statement from Ralan area students union president Mhombemo Tungoe Monday said.
Many plantations put by different villagers like rubber plantations, oranges, pineapples and betel nuts plantation were under fire leading to losses in terms of lakhs individually, RASU said.
The inferno, which is reportedly spreading rapidly, has engulfed almost the whole of Ralan hill forest, threatening the adjoining villages including New Ralan, Old Ralan, Old Jandalashung and Liphanyan.
There is an apprehension that the entire Ralan hill forest might be destroyed if wildfire was not extinguished without delay.
Further, the union stated that even the main power line feeding new Ralan village has been destroyed in two different locations one being on the road side was threatening lives.
Quoting the affected village councils, the union said the exact cause that sparked the inferno was under investigation.
With regard to this, RASU has urged responsible council to take immediate action to unearth the truth and award severest punishment to whoever was responsible.
Lauding SDO (C) Ralan for taking the burning of jungle seriously, the union has assured its support in bringing the culprits to book.
