Fire in Badal Khol sanctuary

Pathhalgaon, Chhattisgarh, Apr 7 (UNI) A fire has engulfed a large portion of forest area of the Badal Khol sanctuary in Chhattisgarh's Jashpur district.

It broke out three days ago.

Two herds of elephants -- one with seven elephants and the other 12 -- had emerged out of the forest and had been creating havoc in the nearby areas.

Forest department sources said incidents of fire in the sanctuary due to burning of dry leaves had gone up in the past few days.

Several plants had been affected due to fire at several places.

Meanwhile, directions have issued to forest teams to control the fire, the sources said.

Sub-divisional Officer (Revenue) Rajendra Surve said huge loss was being caused due to inadequate arrangements to control fire.

He said wild tuskers have become aggressive due to fire and villagers in the nearby areas have been alerted.

UNI